THE POISONED WIFE
(McFEE'S CONFESSION)
Sung by: Robert B. Stark
Recorded in Miller, AR, 6/23/53

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Oh, people, all draw near to me
And listen to my history.
I hope you'll all remember well
Of what to you this day I'll tell.

I scarcely arrived in my fifth year;
From home and friends I ran away.
Amid those toils and cares of life,
I taken to me a little wife.

She was as good and kind to me
As any woman need to be.
She would been alive, I have no doubt,
If I hadn't 'a saw Miss Ida Sharp.

It was on one cold and lonesome night,
When the moon shined down and the stars give light,
When I approached her where she lay,
When I approached my wife to say:

"Oh, here's some drops I bought for you,
This very day I bought for you.
Oh, take them, dear, they will cure you
Of those hard fits; pray take them, do."

She gave to me one tender look,
And in her mouth the poison took.
Down by her side a little babe,
And it's one sweet rest in the silent grave.

For, fearing that she was not dead,
My hand upon her throat did lay.
Oh, darling wife, 'tis where she lay,
And her sweet life soon fled away.

Oh, I would freely give my store,
And if I had ten thousand more,
If I could bring again to life
My darling, loving little wife.

Adieu, adieu, my friends adieu;
Now no more on earth will I see you.
I hope together we may stand
On Canaan's holy, happy land.

Also found in Randolph, Vol. II, #133, "McFee's Confession."

All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted

The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection
Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas
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