My tender parents brought me up, provided for me well,

voiceCollected by Dana Durst and Ellen Eagleson For Mary C. Parler Mrs. Ollie Riggins Fayetteville, Ark. April, 1964 The Murdered Sweetheart REEL 440 Item 12 My tender parents brought me up, provided for me well, An in the city of Lingston Town they placed me in a mill. Twas there I spied a pretty fair maid on whom I cast my eyes, I told her that I'd marry her but she believed I lied. I went into her sister's house at eight o'clock one night, And little did that creature know at her I held my spite. I ask her if she'd take a walk a little piece away, That she and I might have a talk about our wedding day. Wesstrolled together side by side til we came to a silent place, I taken a stick from off of the fence and struck her in the face. Down on her bended knees she fell and did for mercy cry, Oh Willie, Oh Willie, don't murder me now for I am not ready to die. I paid but little attention to that, I only did beat her the more, Until I saw her innocent blood that I could never restore. I wound my hands in her coal black hair as if to hide my sin, I drew her to the river side and there I threw her in. As I returned back to the mill I met my servant John, He asked me why I looked so pale and yet so very warm. I lit my canl, went in my room, as if to take my rest, It seemed like me like the fire of Hell was burning in my breast. Come all young men take warning take and unto your lovers prove true, And never let the Devil get the upper hand of you.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation