It was early, early in one Spring

voiceCollected by Edwin R. Bethune For Mary C. Parler Transcribed by Frances Majors Sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer Pocahontas, Arkansas August 1, 1958 Reel 262, Item 6 Early, Early in the Spring It was early, early in one Spring I pressed on board to serve my king. I was writing letters to my dearest dear, And not one word from her could I hear. I sailed up to her father's door, Inquiring of my dearest dear. He answered me, and with this reply, My daughter has married to seek a richer life. I asked him again what did he mean; My daughter has married To be a rich man's wife, So go, young man, and seek you a wife. Well, beings as I've lost my golden crown, I'll sail this ocean round and round. I'll sail on sea till the day I die; I'll split the way where the bullets fly. Oh, Willie, Willie, stay on shore; And don't go back to war no more. A many true love has been denied, Since you have been sailing the ocean wide.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation