Cat. #0298 (MFH #471) - As sung by Mr. C. W. Ingenthron, Walnut Shade, Missouri on November 19, 1958
VERSE 1
One morning, one morning, one morning in spring
Th birds in th desert so loudly did sing
I met a fair damsel in th desert alone
O, she says, I'm a poor lost girl
And a long ways from home
VERSE 2
I stepped up to her, her features to see
And making so freely, her pardon I asked
And making so freely, in th desert alone
O, she says, I'm a poor lost girl
And a long ways from home
VERSE 3
I left my ole Father and all his command
I left my ole Mother, a wringing her hands
I left my friends and relation a mourning too
O, she says, I'm a poor lost girl
And a long ways from home
VERSE 4
I'll build me a castle on yon mount high
Where th wild geese may see me as their roving by
Where th turtle dove may see and hear me and help me to mourn
O, she says, I'm a poor lost girl
And a long ways from home
VERSE 5
Come all you fair maidens, take warning from me
Don't place your affections on a green willow tree
For th leaves they will wither and th limbs they will die
And then your forsaken
An' you know not for why