Old Darby

Performer:

Is Part Of:

Click for Sheet Music



As Darby walked out one moonshiney night
Down in the queney sing queney canary
He stole a gray mare and she proved to be white
Singing naytrup tun nottrup tunnello.
He stole a grey mare and she proved to be white
Singing hethen con tethen con tantay con tello.

As Old Darby walked up the gallows so high
He saw one of his countrymen a-riding by.

I send very great love to my father and mother
But much greater love to my sister and brother.

You may tell them you’ve seen Old Darby again
You may tell them Old Darby’s gone to heaven in a sling.

Song Text Source: 

Phillips Manuscript supplemented by the recording

Collector: 
Gordon, Robert Winslow, 1888-1961
Date Recorded: 
September, 1924
Track Duration (h:m:s): 
0:52
Original Medium: 
wax cylinder
Repository: 
American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Call Number/Physical Location: 
AFS 19010A: G51 Misc 081
Rights: 

This material may be protected by copyright law (e.g. Title 17, US Code).

MFC Reference Number: 
RWP_A002