English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians

122 Songs and Ballads, and 323 Tunes With Lyrics & sheet Music - online book

	No. 77
	My Dearest Dear
	ra - ther I could go with you Or you could tar - ry          here. 2   O my old mother's hard to leave, My father's on my mind, But for your sake I'll go with you And leave them all behind. But for your sake I'll go with you, O mother, fare you well, For fear I never see you any more While here on earth we dwell. 3   I wish your breast was made of glass, All in it I might behold; Your name in secret I would write In letters of bright gold. Your name in secret I would write, Pray believe in what I say, You are the man that I love best Unto my dying day. 4   But when you are on some distant shore, Think on your absent friend, And when the wind blows high and clear, A line or two, pray send. And when the wind blows high and clear, Pray send it, love, to me, That I may know by your own hand-write How times has went with thee. 242