Digital Tradition Mirror

The Arkansas Boys

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The Arkansas Boys

Come all you Missouri gals an' listen to my noise,
Mind how you marry them Arkansas boys;
For if you do your portion it will be,
Cold johnnycake an' venison is all you will sce.

They will lead you out in them blackjack hills,
There so much against your will;
Leave you there for to perish on the place,
For that's the way of the Arkansas race.

Sandstone chimney an'a batten door,
Clapboard roof an'a puncheon floor;
Some gets a little an'some gets none,
An' that's the way of the Arkansas run.

When they go to meetin'the clothes they wear
Is a old brown coat all tore an' bare,
A old white hat without no crown,
An' old blue duckins the whole year round.

From Ozark Folksongs, Randolph

Note: This song appeared in sheet music in  1841  under the title "Free
Nigger", published by Firth and Hall, as sung by R. W. Pelhaae, but without
author/composer credits. The initial stanza there is:

Come all you Virginia gals and listen to my noise,
Neber do you wed wid de Carolina boys,
For if dat you do your portion it will be
Corn cake and harmony [?hominy] and Jango Lango tea.
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!