Babes in the Wood 2

Oh, don't you remember, a long time ago
When two little babes, their names I don't know,
Were stolen away one bright summer day
And lost in the woods, I've heard people say.

And when it was night, oh, sad was their plight
The moon had gone down, the stars gave no light;
They sobbed and they sighed, and bitterly cried
Then the poor little babes, they lay down and died.

And when they were dead the robins so red
Brought strawberry leaves and over them spread
And sang them a song, the whole summer long
Poor babes in the wood, who never did wrong.

Note: An earlier version was printed in Percy's Reliques;
Percy attributed it to Rob. Tarrington, 1601 RG

From Ozark Folksongs, Randolph
Collected from Marie Wilbur, Pineville MO 1929
DT #542
Laws Q34
RG