Cat. #1585 (MFH #385) - As sung by Louise Cornelius, Dadeville, Missouri on September 17, 1976
VERSE 1
O dear, I'se so tired an' so lonesome
I wonder why my Mamma don't come
She told me to shut up my blue eyes
And before I awake she'd be home
VERSE 2
I dess I'll go down an' find Daddy
I know he has stopped at th store
A great pretty store full of bottles
I wish he wouldn't stop there no more
VERSE 3
Sometimes he's so sick, when he comes home
That he stumbles an' he falls up th stairs
An' once when he came in th parlor
He kicked at my little red chair
VERSE 4
An' Mamma, so pale an' so frightened
Hugged me up close to her breast
An' called me her dear little Blossom
I dess I forgot all th rest
VERSE 5
Out into th night went th baby
Th little heart was beating with fright
Till th dark little feet reached th gin-palace
All brilliant with music an' light
VERSE 6
Away down th long floor, she patted
Her teeny blue eyes opened wide
Till in th corner she spied, her Daddy
Th teeny feet paused at his side
VERSE 7
O, Daddy, she cried, as she reached him
Her voice, it called out sweet an' clear
I tought if I comed I would find you
I now I'se so glad I is here
VERSE 8
Th lights are so pretty, dear Papa
And I think th music's so sweet
But I dess it's most supper time, Papa
For Blossom wants something to eat
VERSE 9
A moment th blurred eyes gazed wildly
Down to th face, sweet an' fair
An' then as th demons posessed him
He grabbed at th back of th chair
VERSE 10
A moment, a second, t'was over
Th work of a feind was complete
Th poor little innocent baby
Lie broken an' crushed at his feet
VERSE 11
Th law with its majesty, took him
An' gave him a penalty of death
For none but a feind or a mad man
Could deprive such a baby of breath
VERSE 12
God pity, men, women an' children
Who are charged by th judgement of rum
--- pulpit an' formally united
By vote thou deliverence shall come