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My Son David

from The Rhizome Project by Moira Smiley

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about

Traditional after Jeannie Robertson

Mother and son speak: ancient ballad grappling with the shame of violence.

lyrics

1.“O what is the blood that’s on your sleeve,
My son David, O son David?
What’s the blood that’s on your sleeve?
Come promise and tell me true.”

“Oh that’s the blood of my hunting hawk,
Oh lady mother, Oh lady mother;
That’s the blood of my hunting hawk,
‘cause he would not be ruled by me.”

2.“Oh that blood runs over clear,
My son David, Oh son David;
That blood is oh so clear,
Come promise, and tell me true.”

“Oh that’s the blood of my grey hound,
Oh lady mother, Oh lady mother;
That’s the blood of my grey hound,
For she wouldn't be ruled by me.”

3.“But that blood runs oh so clear,
My son David, Oh son David;
That blood is oh so clear,
Come promise and tell me true.”

“Oh that’s the blood of my grey mare,
Oh lady mother, Oh lady mother;
That’s the blood of my grey mare,
For she wouldn’t be ruled my me.”

4. “O That blood runs over clear,
Oh son David, my son David;
That blood it is oh so clear,
Come promise and tell me true.”

“This is the blood of my brother John,
My lady mother, Oh lady mother;
It is the blood of my brother John,
For he would not be ruled by me.

“Oh when will you come home again,
My son David, Oh son David?
When will you come home again?
Come promise and tell me true.”

“When the sun & the moon meet in yon glen,
My lady mother, Oh lady mother;
When the sun & the moon meet in yon glen,
And I hope that will never be.”

credits

from The Rhizome Project, track released September 6, 2024
Moira Smiley, Taylor Ashton

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Moira Smiley Bristol, Vermont

Moira Smiley is a Singer / Composer. Touring & writing with the finest in various worlds of music, she brings clarity and visceral emotion to any song she sings. She accompanies herself on banjo, accordion, piano, and hand & body percussion. She's toured with Tune-Yards and Solas among many others. Moira recently sang with Tune-Yards on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. ... more

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