Black-Eyed Mary

It was a Sunday mornin',
So early I arose
An' went to see my true love
It was my heart's delight (repose)

My true love she is handsome,
Both proper, neat an' small,
They say that she's good-natured,
An' that's the best of all.

Her hair is black as a raven
Her eyes are black as a crow,
Her cheeks resembles roses
All in the mornin' glow.

It was on Sunday mornin'
I passed my true love by,
I seen her mind was changin'
By the movement of her eye.

I seen her mind was changin',
Some other love degree,
I seen her mind was changin'
Most bitterly from me.

Oh Mary, don't you remember
You give me your hand an' said,
If ever you was married
That I should be the man?

But now you got your liberty
To wed with who you please,
While my poor heart is breakin'
You're a-restin'at your ease.

While sailin' o'er the deep, boys,
While sailin' o'er the deep,
I think of black-eyed Mary
Just as I go to sleep.

From Ozark Folksongs, Randolph
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