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274 Ballads and Songs of Michigan
no JAMES WAYLAND
For a discussion of this song see Rickaby, pp. 20-24. See also Bulletin, pp. 4-7; Eckstorm and Smyth, pp. 122-124; and Tolman and Eddy, JAFL, XXXV,
383-384- ., .
The present version was obtained in 1930 by Miss Ruth Barnes, Ypsilanti, from Mr. Ben Wright, aged twenty-two, Traverse City. He had collected the song from Miss Dorothy Dill, Traverse City, who had learned it from the singing of a lumberman of the same place.
1 Come all you tender Christians, I pray that you draw near; It's of a terrible accident
I'm going to let you hear.
2 It's of a bold and daunted youth, James Wayland he was called; He was drowned at McFerris' raft, AH on the upper falls.
3 The river was in its raging course, The water being high;
The foreman unto Wayland said, "This jam you'll have to try.
4 "For you're young and noble-hearted, And though death be lurking near, You are the man to lend a hand The waters for to clear."
5 Then up spoke young Wayland Unto his comrades bold, "Come, although it's dangerous, We'll do as we are told.
6 "We obey our orders bravely, As noble men should do,"
But as he spake the dam it broke And let young Wayland through. |
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7 There were three of them in danger, But two of them were saved, |
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