Darlin Corey
I learned this song from @CliftonHicksbanjo, and the lessons he has on his channel. I like Cedric Watson's, Clifton's, and Seeger's versions of this song.
To my knowledge, this song is a true folk song in the sense that the composer is unknown and that it was 'collected'.
(I will not be responding to/reading comments much until the end of August, as I am in Quantico VA having a wonderful time at USMC OCS)
Lyrics:
Wake up wake up darling Corey
What makes you sleep so sound
The revenue officers are coming
They’re gonna tear your still-house down.
Well the first time I seen darling Corey
She was sitting by the banks of the sea
Had a forty-four around her body
And a five-string on her knee.
Go away go away darling Corey
Quit hanging around my bed
Your liquor has ruined my body
Pretty women gone to my head.
Dig a hole dig a hole in the meadow
Dig a hole in the cold damp ground
Dig a hole dig a hole in the meadow
We’re gonna lay darling Corey down.
Can’t you hear them bluebirds a-singing
Don’t you hear that mournful sound
They’re preaching darling Corey’s funeral
In some lonesome graveyard ground.
Wake up wake up darling Corey
Go run and grab my gun
I ain't one for fighting,
but I also ain't one to run
O Sleep, O Sleep Darlin Corey,
O won't you sleep so sound
For the flowers, they are growing
on your lonesome graveyard mound.