CLXXII — 2nd Figure
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Once I was a trav’ller,
trav’ller over the mountain,
I nearly dead for water
but a young gal show me the fountain.
Why, why me picny!
You shall be me wife.
Show me you mammy an’ you daddy,
An’ you shall be me wife.
I have another sister,
she blind she cannot see,
But, if you wish to court her,
you can come with me.
Why, why me picny!
you shall be me wife.
Show me you mammy an’ you daddy,
An’ you shall be me wife.
When a Black man says he is nearly dead for water he only means that he is rather thirsty.
This sing is of an unusual form and suggests a foreign origin.