Folk and Traditional Song Lyrics:
Old Stepstone

Old Stepstone

Old Stepstone

Oh, 'tis sad to be parted from those that we love
Strange faces we see every day
Each heart string of mine is broken in time
When I think of those dear ones at home.

chi: Goodbye dear old stepstone, goodbye to my home
     God bless those I leave with a sigh
     I'll cherish fond memories when I'm far away
     To roam o'er this wide world alone.

I stood on my doorstep at evening and morn
The wind whispered by with a moan
The fields may be whitening, but I will be gone
To roam o'er this wide world alone.

I stood on my doorstep when school time was o'er
And I wish for the time to go by
Now it has passed. and I stand here tonight
To bid this old stepstone goodbye.

From the singing of Bascom Lamar Lunsford  (1882-1973) of
Mars Hill, North Carolina, near Asheville.

From the excellent notes on Smithsonian Folkways:
OLD STEPSTONE (Brown 713, p. 448 vol. V)
Old Stepstone' is the title of this song, which I learned in
1904 from Miss Lela Ammons of Robbinsville, North Carolina.
She sang, played the song on the old-time organ, and would
sing this beautiful text of  'Old Stepstone.' BLL

APR99