Cat. #0200 (MFH #409) - As sung by Mrs. Allie Long Parker, Eureka Springs, Arkansas on September 2, 1958
VERSE 1
Draw nigh, young men an' learn of me
My sad and mournful history
And may you n'er forgetfull be
Of what this day I tell to thee
VERSE 2
Before I had reached, my fifth year
My Father an' my Mother dear
Were both laid in their silent grave
By him who did their being gave
VERSE 3
No more a Fathers voice, I heard
No more a Mothers love, I shared
No more was I, a Mothers joy
But a poor helpless orphant boy
VERSE 4
My uncle being a orphants friend
A quick relief, did quickly send
And smack from want and tenitee
Poor little orphant McAfee
VERSE 5
Under my uncles tender care
From want and danger, was secure
Nine years was I most kindly reared
His kind advice, I often heard
VERSE 6
But, I was young and thoughtless and gay
And often broke th sabbath day
I oft' did what was not right
In wickedness, I took delight
VERSE 7
And when my uncle did me chide
I turned from him, dissatisfied
An' joined a gang in wickedness
An' satan served with eagerness
VERSE 8
I took unto myself, a wife
I loved her dear, as I loved my life
Alive today, I have no doubt
Had I not met, Miss Hattie Shout
VERSE 9
T'was love for her, controlled my will
An' cause-ed me, my wife to kill
She gave to me one tender look
And in her mouth, th poison took
VERSE 10
Down on her bed, down by her babe
Down to her last long sleep, she laid