This version was obtained also from Mrs. N. C. Waugh, who had often heard her mother sing it. It was recalled by the informant with some difficulty, and with the assistance of a version very like it found in Percy's "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry."[1] It is probable that several entire verses have been forgotten.
The Hanging Limb (A Shanty-Man's Song).
Come, all ye sons of Canada, wherever you may be,
And listen to my tale of woe, and mark it in Fort Knell;
And do not leave your own dear homes, but by your parents stand;
And if ever you're forced to look for work, keep clear of Michigan.
Right well I knew that handsome lad whose name was Harry Done.[2]
His father was a farmer, the township of Aldone.
He had everything he wished for, and a farm of good land;
But he thought he would spend a winter in the woods of Michigan.
The morning that he left his home, his mother to him did say,
"Now, Harry boy, take my advice and on your farm stay;
For if you leave your mother, likewise your sister dear.
There's something tells me that on earth your face I'll ne'er more see."
But Harry gayly laughed at her: "Say, mother, don't you fear!
For when the spring is opened, I am coming straight back here."
Then he went straight to Bay City, where he hired in a lumber king;
And straight from that he took his course to the woods of Michigan.
He worked three months quite merrily, and ofttimes would write home,
"The winter will soon be over, and [in] spring I am going home."
As he rose one morning from his bunk, his face it wore no smile,
As he called his chum outside the door, whose name was Charlie Loyal.
"O Charlie Loyal! I had a dream which fills my heart with woe.
I fear there's something wrong at home, and home I ought to go."
But his comrade only laughed at him, which cheered him for a while.
Saying, "Harry boy, it's time for work; let's go and fell the pine."
He worked away till ten o'clock, while on that fatal day.
When a hanging limb fell down on him and crushed him where he lay.
His comrades gathered round him to pull the limb away,
When he opened his eyes and faintly smiled, and this to them did say:—
"Now, comrades, I am dying; may the end come right soon,
And may the Lord in his mercy look on my friends at home."
In two or three days after, his body was sent home.
Containing all [that] remained on earth of poor young Harry Done.
And when his mother saw him, she fell down like a stone.
They picked her up, but her heart was broke when Harry he came home.
