There was an old man who had three sons,

voice; guitarsCollected by Merlin Mitchell Transcribed by Mary C. Parler Sung by Bill Baker St. Paul, Arkansas May 10, 1950 Reel 62, Item 7 The Miller's Boys There was an old man who had three sons, (Whistle) There was an old man who had three sons, Says, Son, my race is almost run. Sing rie-o-riddle-sing-ree. This mill to you I want to make, (Whistle) This mill to you I want to make, And what's the toll that you aim for to take? Sing rie-o-riddle-sing-ree. He called on to his youngest son, (Whistle) Father, 0 Father, my name is Heck, And out of each bushel I'll take a peck. Sing rie-o-riddle-sing-ree. He called on to his second son, (Whistle) Father, 0 Father, ray name it is Ralph, And out of a bushel I'll take a half. Sing rie-o-riddle-sing-ree. He called on to his oldest son, (Whistle) He called on to his oldest son, Says, Son, my race is almost run. Sing rie-o-riddle-sing-ree. Father, 0 Father, my name it is Jack, (Whistle) Father, 0 Father, my name it is Jack, I'll steal all the corn and swear to the sack. Sing rie-o-riddle-sing-ree. This mill is yours, the old woman cried, (Whistle) This mill is yours, the old woman cried, The old man backed his ears and died. Sing rie-o-riddle-sing-ree. Bill Baker claims that the song was made up in his family Nonsense ! M. C. ParlerFunding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation