STRATTON MOUNTAIN TRAGEDY

by Seba Smith



Cold was the mountain's height

Drear was the pasture wild

As through the darkness of night

A mother wondered with her child

As through the drifting snow she pressed

The babe was sleeping 'neath her breast



Bitter blew the chilly winds

Darker hours of night came on

Deeper grew the drifting snow

Her limbs were chilled, her strength was gone

"Oh God," she cried in accents wild

"If I must perish, save my child"



She took the mantle from her breast

Bared her bosom to the storm

As round the babe she wrapped her vest

She smiled to think that it was warm

One cold kiss, one tear she shed

And sank into that snowy bed



A stranger passing by next day

Spied her 'neath that snowy veil

The frost of death was in her eye

Her cheek was hard and cold and pale

He took the robe from off the child

The babe looked up and sweetly smiled



@death @cold @mother

Laws G 18

Happened in Vermont in 1821 to Lucy Blake and child Rebecca

recorded by Margaret MacArthur (full notes)

and Flanders and Brown Vermont Folk Songs and Ballads

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