Dying Nun, The

DESCRIPTION: The dying nun asks that the window be opened so that she can feel the cool air and see the sky. She remarks that it is hard to die. She thanks Sister Martha for her care. She cherishes the ring she received from Douglas, and says she will join him soon
AUTHOR: E. Mack (source: List-SingingAboutIt-FolkSongsInSouthernIndiana)
EARLIEST DATE: 1873 (source: List-SingingAboutIt-FolkSongsInSouthernIndiana)
KEYWORDS: death clergy reunion separation love ring
FOUND IN: US(MW,So)
REFERENCES (7 citations):
Belden-BalladsSongsCollectedByMissourFolkloreSociety, pp. 218-219, "The Dying Nun" (1 text plus mention of 1 more, 1 tune)
Randolph 706, "The Dying Nun" (2 texts, 1 tune)
Randolph/Cohen-OzarkFolksongs-Abridged, pp. 455-457, "The Dying Nun" (1 text, 1 tune -- Randolph's 706A)
Abrahams/Foss-AngloAmericanFolksongStyle, pp. 124-125, "The Dying Nun" (1 text, 1 tune)
List-SingingAboutIt-FolkSongsInSouthernIndiana, pp. 260-262, "The Dying Nun" (1 text, 1 tune)
cf. Gardner/Chickering-BalladsAndSongsOfSouthernMichigan, p. 478, "The Dying Nun" (source notes only)
cf. Brown/Schinhan-FrankCBrownCollectionNCFolklore4 317, "The Dying Nun" (1 tune; the singer did not offer a text)

Roud #3532
RECORDINGS:
Foreman Family, "The Dying Nun" (Victor V-40165, 1929)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Dying Girl's Message" (tune, meter, floating lyrics)
File: R706

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