The Boy that Burned in the Berryville Jail

Cat. #0224 (MFH #47) - As sung by Mrs. Rubibow, Seligman, Missouri on September 11, 1958

VERSE 1
My name is Flo Eddings, th son of ole Doc
He'll surely disown me but I'm one of his flock

VERSE 2
No money, no clothes, without one cent
Down to old Carrollton, while robbing I went

VERSE 3
Out of Green Forest, I was hired to work
There they come and handcuffed me and took me to court

VERSE 4
They called in a jury, never cost them a cent
And down to ole Berryville, to jail I was sent

VERSE 5
I sent for my Father and thought it all well
He would'nt come near me and I wished him in hell

VERSE 6
No Father, no Mother, no money to spend
They left me here lonely, myself to defend

VERSE 7
They brought me my supper, they locked th door fast
And left me all alone to think of th past

VERSE 8
Th jail caught fire and I hollered for help
Th damned ole jailer just lay there and slept

VERSE 9
I wrapped my blanket 'round me and threw myself down
And no one came near me till th jail house burned down

Mrs. Rubibow says her parents could remember the Eddings family.

Variants