Bozbark
Bo Lamkin
October 28, 2019
Appalachian & Ozark Mountain Songs:
Many traditional folk songs from the Appalachian/Ozark mountains lack a good source for lyrics. I plan on archiving the songs that I am learning. I will attempt to link either the version of the song I am learning or the closest version I can find so you can hear an example of how the song is meant to sound.
Bo Lamkin
Bo Lamkin was as fine a mason
as ever laid a stone.
He built a fine castle,
and pay he got none.
He built a fine castle,
and pay he got none.
He swore by his maker
he’d kill them unknown.
Bewares of Bo Lamkin
When I’m gone from home.
Beware the Bo Lamkin
When I’m gone from home.
Bo Lamkin he comes to the castle,
And he knocked loud and long.
There was no one as ready as a faultress,
She arose and let him in.
Oh where is the landlord?
Or is he at home?
Oh, no, he’s gone to merry England
For to visit his son.
He’s gone to merry England
For to visit his son.
How will we get her downstairs
Such a dark night as it is?
Stick pins and needles
In the little baby.
Stick pins and needles
in the little baby.
Bo Lamkin rocked the cradle
And the faultress she sung,
While the tears and the red blood
From the cradle did run.
While the tears and the red blood
From the cradle did run.
The lady comin’ downstairs
Not thinkin’ no harm,
Bo Lamkin stood ready
He catched her in his arm.
Bo Lamkin stood ready
And he caught her in his arm.
Bo Lamkins, Bo Lamkins,
Spare my life one hour,
You can have my daughter Betsy
My own bloomin’ flower.
You can have my daughter Betsy
My own bloomin’ flower.
Bo Lamkin Bo Lamkin
Spare my life one day,
You can have all the gay gold
Your horse can tote away.
You can have all the gay gold
Your horse can tote away.
Oh keep your daughter Betsy,
For to go through the flood,
To scour the silver basin
That catches your heart’s blood.
Daughter Betsy was a sittin’
in the castle so high.
She saw her dear father
Come a ridin’ hard by.
Dear father, dear father
Come see whats been done!
Bo Lamkin has been here,
And he’s killed your dear son!
Bo Lamkin has been here,
He’s killed your baby!
Bo Lamkin has been here,
And killed your lady!
Bo Lamkins was hung
To a scaffold so high.
And the faultress was burned
To a stake standing by.
An Ozarker writing about self-reliance, doing things that are meaningful, and staying connected to reality in a digital world.
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