Golden vanity; Sweet trinity; Merry golden tree

voiceCollected by Irene Carlisle Transcribed by Mary C. Parler Mrs. Rachel Henry Spring Valley, Arkansas March 9, 1951 Reel 97, Item 1 The Green Willow Tree "I learned it when I was a girl, from a neighbor." Mrs. Oxford: This here song, Jody Ragsdale sung it; my sister said he was a neighbor, but he wasn't; he 'as her sister's (Mrs. Oxford's)sweetheart; and he sung the song for her, and he finally lost his mind and they put him in Fayetteville, and he got hold of an old gun and blowed his brains out. (CHILD 286, The Sweet Trinity. The Golden Vanity) There was a little ship that sailed on the sea, Crying, oh, the lonesome, the lowland low; There was a little ship that sailed on the sea; It went by the name of the Green Willow Tree, That was sailing on the lonesome lowland low, That was sailing on the lonesome sea. It hadn't been sailing there in a half a year or more, Crying, oh, the lonesome, the lowland low; It hadn't been sailing there in a half a year or more Till it was overtook by a Turkish Shevelee, That was sailing on the lonesome lowland low, That was sailing on the lonesome sea. Captain, oh, captain, what will we do? Crying, oh, the lonesome, the lowland low; Captain, oh, captain, what will we do? It'll run right over us and cut us in two, And 'll sink us in the lonesome, the lowland low, And 'll sink us in the lonesome sea. Captain, oh, Captain, what'll you give me, Crying, oh, the lonesome, the lowland low; Captain, oh, captain, what'll you give me To overtake and sink that Turkey Shevelee That's a-sailing on the lonesome lowland low, That's a-sailing on the lonesome sea? I'll give you money and I'll set you free, Crying, oh, the lonesome, the lowland low; I'll give you money and I'll set you free; Besides, my eldest daughter your be-wedded wife shall be If you'll sink 'em in the lonesome lowland low, If you'll sink 'em in the lonesome sea. —more— The Green Willow Tree Reel 97, Item 1 Continued He down upon his breast and away swam he, Crying, oh, the lonesome, the lowland low; Down upon his breast and away swam he, And he soon overtook that Turkey Shew lee That's a-sailing on the lonesome lowland; low, That's a-sailing on the lonesome sea. Having a tool that was fit for to use, Crying, oh, the lonesome, the lowland low; Having a tool that was fit for to use, He bored seven holes which let in the juice That 'Id sink 'em in the lonesome lowland low, That 'ld sink 'em in the lonesome sea. Some with their hats and some with their caps, Crying, oh, the lonesome, the lowland low; Some with their hats and some with their caps, Trying for to stop those large wather gaps That would sink 'em in the lonesome lowlands low, That 'ld sink 'em in the lonesome sea. He down upon his breast and away swam he, And he soon overtook the Green Willow Tree That was sailing on the lonesome lowland low, That was sailing on the lonesome sea. Captain, oh, Captain, you take me on board, Crying, oh, the lonesome, the lowland low; Captain, oh, Captain, you take me on board, Or will you be as good as your word, For I'm sinking in the lonesome sea. No, sir, no, sir, not take you on board, Crying, oh, the lonesome, the lowland low; No, sir, no, sir, not take you on board, Nor neither will I be as good as my word, For I'll sink you in the lonesome sea. If it wasn't for the sake of those on board, Crying, oh, the lonesome, the lowland low; If it wasn't for the sake of those on board I'd sink you in the lonesome sea. He down upon his back and away sank he, Crying, oh, the lonesome, the lowland low; Down upon his back and away sank he; Adieu, adieu to the Green Willow Tree That's a-sailing on the lonesome lowland low, That's a-sailing on the lonesome sea.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation