The Knoxville Girl

Cat. #0430 (MFH #670) - As sung by Mrs. George Ripley, Milford, Missouri on November 21, 1959

VERSE 1
My parents raised me tenderly
An' bound me to th mill
I served my time out seven long years
Which went against my will

VERSE 2
I fell in love with a Knoxville girl
With dark an' rougish eyes
I promised that I'd marry her
Some night with me, she'd fly

VERSE 3
I went into her Sisters room
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VERSE 4
I ask 'er to take a walk with me
An' view th meadows gay
An' there we'd set an' friendly talk
An' name th happy day

VERSE 5
So, long we walked with hand in hand
Till we came to Knoxville town
I drew my knife from out my belt
An' struck th fair one down

VERSE 6
She fell upon her bended knees
For mercy, she did cry
For heavens sake, don't murder me
I'm not prepared to die

VERSE 7
I grasp her in my arms, so cold
An' kissed both cheeks an' chin
Just as th rolling tide came by
I gently tossed her in

VERSE 8
See how she sinks, see how she dies
On th deep an' rolling tide
Instead of being there tonight
She should have been my bride

VERSE 9
I then returned to my masters room
At nine o'clock that night
My master rose an' let me in
By th lighting of a match

VERSE 10
My master then, coss questioned me
What stained my hands an' clothes
The answer that I gave to him,
Was bleeding at th nose

VERSE 11
Next morning I was taken down
An' bound in irons, so cold
Her Sister swore my life away
Which grief I could not hold

VERSE 12
Come all ya bold an' reckless boys
An' do th girls no harm
For if you do, your sure to rue
Th day that you were born

Variants