NOTTAMUN TOWN
(learned from Jean Ritchie and other Appalachian singers in about 1958)
In Nottamun Town not a soul would look up,
I rode on a horse that was called a gray mare,
She stood so still she threw me to the dirt,
Met the king and the queen and a company more,
Sat down on a hard hot cold frozen stone,
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look town,
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look town,
To show me the way to fair Nottamun Town
Gray mane and gray tail, green stripe down his back
Gray mane and gray tail, green stripe down his back
There warn't a hair on him be what was coal-black.
She tore my heart, and she bruised my shirt,
From saddle to stirrup I mounted and then
Upon my ten toes I rode over the plain.
Come a-ridin' behind, and a-marchin' before,
Come a stark naked drummer a-beatin' a drum,
With his hands in his bosom come marchin' along.
Ten thousand stood round me though I was alone,
Took my hat in my hand for to keep my head warm,
Ten thousand got drownded that never was born.