As willie and Mary stood by the sea shore,

voice; guitarsColl. by Mrs. Virginia Langley Mrs. Langley's Mother For M.C. Parler Gruver, Texas March 1958 Reel 353, Item 2 Willie and Mary As willie and Mary stood by the sea shore, Their last farewell to take, If you return no more, little Mary she said, My heart it surely will break. Oh be not dismayed, unto her he said, As he kissed the dear girl by his side, My absence don't mourn, for when I return, I'll make little Mary my bride. Three years passed by without any news. One day as she stood by the door, A beggar came by with a patch on his eye, All ragged was he and poor. Have compassion on me, your friend I' will be, Your fortune I'll tell you beside, The lad that you love will never return To make little Mary his bride. She startled, she trembled, and then she did say, Your fortune I have would I give (?) If what I ask you you tell me is true, Oh say does my Willie yet live? He lives it is true, in poverty too, If you're threatened, he's sufferd beside (?) Returning mo more because he's too poor To make little Mary his bride. No tongue can tell the joy that I fell Although his misfortune I mourn, He's welcome to me, though in poverty be, His jacket all tattered and torn. I love him so dear, so true and sincere, No other I'll have beside, Though rich , and rolled andcovered in gold Can make little Mary their bride. The beggar then throwed the patch from his eye, His crutches he lay by his side, Coat, trousers, and jacket cheeks redder than rose, 'Twas Willie stood by Mary s side. Forgive me, dear maid, and do not be sad, 'Tis only your love I have tried, He hastened away at the close of day To make little Mary his bride.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation