Page:Southern Life in Southern Literature.djvu/489

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
SURVIVALS OF OLD BRITISH BALLADS
471


A fair young lady in her father s house A-sewing her silk so fine And when she heard that George was dead She threw it down and cried.

"O daughter, don't weep! O daughter, don't mourn! There are more boys than one."

"O mother dear! he has my heart, And now he s dead and gone.

"The happiest hours I ever spent Were when I was by his side; The saddest news I ever heard Was when George Collins died." She followed him up, she followed him down; She followed him to his grave, And there she fell on her bended knees; She wept; she mourned; she prayed.

"Unscrew the coffin; lay back the lid; Roll down the linen so fine; And let me kiss his cold pale lips, For I know he will never kiss mine."