Cat. #0150 (MFH #5) - As sung by Mrs. Sam "Iva" Haslett, West Plains, Missouri on July 31, 1958
VERSE 1
I am dying, sister, dying
And my voice is getting low
I have something I must tell you
Sister dear, before I go
VERSE 2
It is sad but true, dear sister
Catch each sad and awful word
Soon your brother will be sleeping
And his voice no longer heard
VERSE 3
Sister dear, your Arthur's missing
But you hope to meet him still
Hope that some bright day you'll meet him
Sister dear, you never will
VERSE 4
Him you loved, was him I hated
Hated why, I cannot tell
But to see him with you sister,
It was more than life to me
VERSE 5
So, I chanced one eve in autumn
While th moon did brightly show
Strolling by th rolling river
I met Arthur all alone
VERSE 6
Words that passed, I don't remember
But I in a passion flew
And I fought him sword and dagger
Then and there, your Arthur slew
VERSE 7
Then I thought of you, my sister
O, so young, to be left alone
An' ten-thousand worlds I'd given
To undue th deed I done
VERSE 8
But I knew that all my weeping
All th tears that I could shed
Would not bring life to your Arthur
Lying there, so cold and dead
VERSE 9
So, I picked up his lifeless body
Rolled it over th river side
Now I leave this world to wonder
What became of Arthur Clyde
VERSE 10
You'll forgive me, won't you, sister
O, this awful deed I've done
Speak, I cannot live much longer
Life's free race is nearly run
VERSE 11
You will meet your love in heaven
In a world that knows no sin
You will meet, dear me, no never
God won't let a murderer in
VERSE 12
When I stand before my maker
O, this awful deed to tell
Kiss, o kiss, your dying brother
Sister dear, farewell, farewell