Cat. #0446 (MFH #103) - As sung by Mr. William Edens, Mont Ne, Arkansas on January 20, 1960
VERSE 1
You've all heard tell of Bridges
I used to run with Jim
A many a hard days scouting
I've done 'long side of him
VERSE 2
An' once near ole Fort Reno
A trapper used to dwell
They called him old Dad Reynolds
Th scouts all knowed him well
VERSE 3
One night, th spring of fifty
I tell you, let me see
I think it was in fifty
From that till sixty-three
VERSE 4
We camped on Powder River
We killed a calf of buffalo
An' cooked a slice of liver
VERSE 5
While eating quite contented
We heard three shots 'er four
Put out th fire an' listened
Then heard a dozen more
VERSE 6
We mounted quick as lightning
To save, was our desire
To late, to late, th heathrens
Had set his house on fire
VERSE 7
We tied our horses quickly
An' wading up th stream
An' there among th willows
I heard an awful scream
VERSE 8
An' there beside the water
A little girl did lie
I picked her up and kissed her
Saying, I'll save you or I'll die
VERSE 9
Poor Papa, God will take him
To Mamma, up above
I've no one left to share me
Nor no one left to love
VERSE 10
This little girl was thirteen
An' I were twenty-two
Says, I will be your Father
An' love you just as true
VERSE 11
She nestled to my bosom
Her hazel eyes so bright
Looked up an' made me happy
Tho' close pursued that night
(Mr. Eden says, there is quite a bit more to this song but he could'nt sing it. Tells a story about it. Then, he said, the following belonged in it but he did'nt know where.) If to you it's just th same Take down your little rifle For I am not your game Your long hair an' your buckskin Look for your like in rough My bead was spoiled, by sunshine Or I'd a killed you sure enough