Bamboo Brier or Bramble Briar or Jealous Brothers Across Bridgewater a rich man lived, He had three sons and a daughter fair; He divided up their equal portion, Seven thousand pounds was his daughter's share Seven thousand was his daughter's portion, The maid being brisk and a comely dame: She fancied a young man who plowed the ocean, And unto him she bestowed the same. One night, as they were sitting courting, Her two brothers chanced to overhear They vowed the courtship should be broken Or send him headlong to his grave. So early next morning they forced him hunting, Over high hills and lofty mountains, Through silent places quite unknown Until they came to bamboo briers, Where they did him kill and slay. As soon as they returned from hunting, She quickly asked for the servant-man: "You seem to whisper, what makes me ask you, Pray, brothers, tell me, if you can." "We lost him in our game of hunting His face again you will nevermore see We lost him in the bamboo briers, His face, his face, you'll see no more " Early next morning she started to hunt him Over hills and lofty mountains, Through silent places quite unknown Until she came to the bamboo briers, There she found him killed and slain. Three days and nights she stayed there with him kissing him just as he lay: "One grave will bury us both my darling; I'll stay here with you until I die." Three days and nights she stayed there with him Seeking life for her sad mourn: She felt sharp hunger come creeping o'er her, And back home she was forced to return. When she returned from where they were hunting They quickly asked, "Where's the servant-man?" "You cursed villains did that murder, And for the crime you both shall hang." Then they both darkened their faces They walked slowly off down by the seaside The fearful waves rushed from the ocean And caused their faces from this world to hide From Folk-Songs of the South by John Harrington Cox. Collected from Hannah Moore who learned it from her mother, Hannah Ross, a native of Virginia. closely related to Bruton Town DT #309 Laws M32 SOF
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!