“In the Dense Woods”
Description
The singer is lost and alone in the woods in a storm. He laments, "The cold wet ground must be my bed... The tempest howls, the rain descends. Oh Jesus, must my life here end?" After breathing his final prayers, he dies
Supplemental text
In the Dense Woods
Partial text(s)
*** A ***
From Helen Hartness Flanders and Marguerite Olney, Ballads
Migrant in New England, pp. 224-225. Apparently from
Abbie Burgess of Providence, Rhodse Island. Collected 1945.
In the dense woods alone I roam
Away from friends and far from home.
I see no signs my heart to cheer.
No human voice can I hear.
(7 additional stanzas)
Historical references
- 1860 - Death of James Fernald, said to be the hero of this song
References
- Flanders/Olney, pp. 243-245, "In the Dense Woods" (2 texts)
- ST FO243 (Partial)
- Roud #4686
- BI, FO243