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MAY I SLEEP IN YOUR BARN (CAN I SLEEP IN YOUR BARN TONIGHT) Sung by: Mrs. Sherman Rutherford Recorded in Batesville, AR 9/1/58 Click here to listen to the original recording For it's cold lying out on the ground. The cold north wind, it is whistling, And I have no place to lie down. I have no tobacco, nor matches. Rest assured that I'll do you no harm. Let me tell you my story, kind mister, For it pierces my heart like a thorn. It was three years ago last summer-- I shall never forget that sad day-- When a stranger came out from the city, And said that he wanted to stay. The stranger was fair, tall, and handsome, And he looked like a man who had wealth. Said he wanted to stop in the country, That he wanted to stay for his health. One night as I closed up my workshop, I was whistling and singing with joy. I expected a kind, hearty welcome From my sweet loving wife and my boy. But what should I find but a letter; It was placed in the room on the stand, And the moment my eyes fell upon it, I picked it right up in my hand. This note said my wife and the stranger, They had left and had taken my son. Oh, I wonder if God up in heaven Knows what this stranger has done. Also found in Randolph, Vol. IV, #841, "Can I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight?"; Brown, Vol. III, #356, "May I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight, Mister?" |
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All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas Back to the Song Index Back to the Wolf Collection Homepage ©Copyright 2002 Lyon College |