The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Black Is the Color

Black, black, black is the color of my true love's hair
His lips are something wond'rous fair
The purest eyes and the bravest hands
I love the ground whereon he stands
Black, black, black is the color of my true love's hair

Love my love and well he knows
I love the ground whereon he goes
And if my love no more I see
My life quickly fade away

Black, black, black is the color etc.

Submitter comment:

This version of Jean Ritchie and Jacob Niles is from southern Appalachia.

Data entry tech comment:

Joan Baez's version of a folksong from southern Appalachia.

Where learned: Joan Baez tape ; southern Appalachia

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Wagoner's Lad

Oh, hard is the fortune of all womenkind,
She's always controlled, she's always confined
Controlled by her parents until she's a wife
A slave to her husband for the rest of her life.

Oh, I'm just a poor girl, my fortune is sad
I've always been courted by the wagoner's lad
He's courted me daily by night and by day
And now he is loading and going away

Oh my parents don't like him because he is poor
They say he's not worthy to enter my door
He works for a living his money's his own
And if they don't like it they can leave him alone

Oh your horses are hungry go feed them some hay
Then sit down beside me as long as you may
My horses ain't hungry they won't eat your hay
So fare thee well darlin I'll be on my way

Oh your wagon need greasing your whip is to mend
Then sit down beside me as long as you can
My wagon is greasy my whip in my hand
So fare thee well darlin no longer to stand

Submitter comment:

The lyrics and verses of this ballad are from Appalachia.

Data entry tech comment:

Joan Baez's version.

Where learned: Joan Baez tape ; Appalachia

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