"Don't be angry with me, Dad,

voiceCollected by M.C. Parler Sung by Bessie Atchley Transcribed by Bessie Atchley Green Forest, Arkansas July 7, 1960 Reel 388, Item 8 The Black Sheep In s little country town Not very far away, There lived a rich and widowed men, Whose heir was turning grey. He had three sons, three only ones, Doth Tom and Jack were sly, But Ted wee honest as could be, He would not tell a lie. They tried their boot to ruin Ted, Both, in the old man's eyes Their poison soon began it's work 'Til Ted was much despised. One night the old man said, "Begone, you're heartless to the core. These are the words the blacksheep said As he stood beside the door. First Chorus: "Don't be angry with me, Dad, Don't turn me from your door. I know that I was wayward, But I won't bo anymore. Just give me another chance Just put me to the test, You'll find the blacksheep loves his Dad Far better than the rest. Year, by year sped swiftly by The father had now grown old. He called both Tom and Jack to him And gave them all his gold. I only need a little room A place by your fireside. One night as Jack returned home Me brought with him a bride. The wife began to hate the father More and more each day.Reel 388, Item 8 (cont'd) One night he heard the three declare, "This old fool's in the way" They then agreed to send him to The poor house that was near When like a flash the blacksheep's words, Came ringing in hie ear. First Chorus: A carriage drives up to the door It is a poor-house van. The brothers point toward their Dad and say, "There is your man." Just then a manly form appears Came pushing through the crowd. "Here stop you brutes," the stranger cried "This will not be allowed. You took this old man's property, And all that he could save. You even sold the little lot Containing hie wife's grave. I am his son, but not your kin From now till judgment day." The father clasped the blacksheep's hand And the crowd then heard him say. Second Chorus: "Don't he angry with me lad, Though I turned you from my door. I know that I was foolish I've repented o'er and O'er, I wish to you I'd given my gold For you have stood the test I've found the blacksheep loves his Dad Far better than the rest."Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation