One Morning in May (When I Was a Young Girl)
First recording and first release by Mrs. Texas Gladden (1941 / 1942)
- Written by
- [Traditional]
- Language
- English
- Comments
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This traditional ballad concerning a woman cut down in her prime due to her drinking and other "sinful" activities has been found in the eastern part of the United States. The theme is related to "The Cowboy's Lament" and "St. James Infirmary Blues." Texas Gladden's version of this song was recorded by Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress in 1941. Several well-known singers including Nina Simone and Barbara Dane based their performances on the Gladden recording.
When I was, a young girl I used to seek pleasure,
When I was a young girl I used to drink ale;
Right out of the alehouse and into the jailhouse,
Out of a barroom and down to my grave.
Come Papa, come Mama, and sit you down by me,
Come sit you down by me and pity my case;
My poor head is aching, my sad heart is breaking,
My body's salivated and I'm bound to die.
Go send for the preacher to come and pray for me;
Go send for the doctor to heal up my wounds;
My poor head is aching, my sad heart is breaking,
My body's salivated, and Hell is my doom.
I want four young ladies to bear up my coffin,
I want three young maidens to carry me on,
And each of them carry a bunch of wild roses,
To lay on my body as I pass along.
One morning, one morning, one morning in May,
I spied this young lady all clad in white linen,
All clad in white linen and cold as the clay. - Licensing
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