Loving Henry

Cat. #0140 (MFH #354) - As sung by Joan O'Bryant, Wichita, Kansas on June 21, 1958

VERSE 1
Light down, light down, loving Henry, she said
And stay all night with me
There's a chair for you and a chair for me
And th candle's a burning free
I can't light down Lady Marget, he said
And stay all night with thee
For my only little gallin the Arkansas land
Will wait long for me comin home

VERSE 2
Then bending over th horn of his saddle
He kissed her one, two and three
She took a sharp knife all from her side
And pierced him both wide and deep
Ride on, ride on, loving Henry, she cried
And ride beneath th sun
And your only little gal in th Arkansas land
Will wait long for you comin home

VERSE 3
I can't ride on, Lady Marget, he cried
And ride beneath th sun
For don't you see my own hearts blood
A tricklin down, does run

VERSE 4
Some takin him by th lily white hands
Some takin him by th feet
They throwed him in th dark river side
That runs so wide and deep
Lie there, lie there, lov'n Henry, she cried
Till th meat rots off your bones
And your only little gal, in the Arkansas land
Will wait long for you comin home

VERSE 5
Fly down, fly down, little parrott, she cried
And perch upon my knee
Your cage shall be made of th fine beaten gold
And the bars made of ivory
I cain't fly down Lady Marget, he cried
And perch upon your knee
I've just seen you murder your own true love
You'd kill a little bird like me

VERSE 6
I wish I had a new cedar bow
And an arrow to fit my string
I'd shoot you thru th neat little breast
That looks so neat and clean
But you ain't got no new cedar bow
Nor arrow to fit your string
So I'll set right here on th top of this branch
And happ'ily I will sing

Variants