Draw nigh, young men, and learn of me

voiceCollected by Max Hu n ter (H-10) For Mary C. Parler Transcribed by Frances Majors Sung by Allie Long Parker Eureka Springs, Arkansas September 2, 1958 Reel 253-54, Item 15 McAfee's Confession Draw nigh, young men, and learn of me My sad and mournful history; And may you ne'er forgetful be Of what this day I tell to thee. Before I had reached my fifth year, My father and my mother dear Were both laid in their silent grave, By Him who did their being gave. No more a father's voice I heard, No more a mother's love I shared; No more was I a mother's joy, But a poor, helpless, orphan boy. My uncle being an orphan's friend, A quick relief did quickly send, And snatched from want and tenitee, Poor little orphan McAfee. Under my uncle's tender care, From want and danger was secure; Nine years was I most kindly reared; His kind advice I often heard. But I was young and thoughtless and gay, And often broke the Sabbath day; I oft did what was not right; In wickedness I took delight. And when my uncle did me chide, I turned from him dissatisfied, And joined a gang in wickedness, And Satan served with eagerness. I took unto myself a wife; I loved her dear, as loved my life; Alive today, I have no doubt, Had I not met Miss Hattie Shout. 'Twas love for her controlled my will And caused me my wife to kill; She gave to me one tender look And in her mouth the poison took. Down on her bed, down by her babe, Down to her last long sleep she laid.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation