“Come All You Young of Wary Age”
Description
"Come all you young of wary (every) age, Give hearing to my song." A young man sets out to visit a friend, but falls from his horse and dies. He was alone, so no other details are known. His family and neighbours grieve; his mother says "his work is done"
Notes
There was a note attached to Brown's transcript of this song saying that it happened in Richmond county, but given the song's appearance in Randolph (and it is certainly the same song) implies that this is just folklore. Particularly since Randolph's informant also claimed the event was local. - RBW
References
- Randolph 705, "Come All You Young of Wary Age" (1 text)
- BrownII 285, "Man Killed by Falling From a Horse" (1 text)
- Roud #7373 and 6640
- BI, R705