“He Never Came Back”

Description

Stories of people who "never came back." The first is a soldier lost at Bull Run. The rest are humorous: A waiter who never returned with a patron's steak, a swain who never returned with a ring for an old maid, a mother-in-law set loose in a balloon

Historical references

• July 21, 1861 - First battle of Bull Run fought between the Union army of McDowell and the Confederates under Johnston and Beauregard
• Aug. 29-30, 1862 - Second battle of Bull Run, fought between the Union army of Pope and the Confederate army of Lee

Recordings

• Carter Family, "He Never Came Back" (Decca 5447, 1937)
• Peg Moreland, "He Never Came Back" (Victor V-40101, 1929)
• Pickard Family, "He Never Came Back" (Perfect 12607, 1930)

References

1. Randolph 399, "He Never Came Back" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Randolph/Cohen, pp. 368-371, "He Never Came Back" (1 text, 1 tune -- Randolph's 399)
3. BrownIII 394, "He Never Came Back" (1 text)
4. Roud #4948
5. BI, R399