Upon the Scaffold High

I never really thought about how important the work of the Lomaxs' was. There is a beautiful tradition that would have been lost, had they not done their work.  One aspect that is of interest for me is the progression and change of a song. There are so many different songs that emerge from one line. "Peaches in the summertime, and apples in the fall" can be found in a number of songs. Then there are entire songs that change into new songs, like the Down by the Salley Gardens.

Here again we are dealing with actions and consequences, murder and justice.


Down in the willow garden
Where me and my true love did meet,
It was there we were courtin',
My love fell off to sleep.

I had a bottle of burgundy wine,
My true love she did not know.
It was there I murdered that dear little girl
Down on the banks below.

I drew my saber through her,
It was a bloody knife,
I threw her into the river,
It was a horrible sight.

My father oft had told me
That money would set me free

If I would murder that poor little girl
Whose name was Rose Connelly.

Now he stands at his cabin door,
Wiping his tears from his eyes,
Gazing on his own dear son,
Upon the scaffold high.

My race is run beneath the sun,
The Devil is waiting for me,
For I did murder that dear little girl
Whose name was Rose Connelly.