Who doesn't absolutely love this song? John Jacob Nilescollected Appalachian songs and first heard this song fragment in 1933. In hisunpublished biography he said "A girl had stepped out to the edge ofthe little platform attached to the automobile. She began to sing. Her clotheswere unbelievably dirty and ragged, and she, too, was unwashed. Her ash-blondhair hung down in long skeins.... But, best of all, she was beautiful, and inher untutored way, she could sing. She smiled as she sang, smiled rather sadly,and sang only a single line of a song."

This carol has been arranged for SATB quartet with substantial pianoaccompaniment. Enjoy!