Will The Weaver

Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional

Played by Jerry and Sarah Garcia in May 1963. Thanks to Matt Schofield for the lyrics.

Said, oh son, what's the matter?
Does she lie or does she tatter?
Does she do the tattering, Joe?
On with Will the Weaver-O

She don't lie nor she don't tatter
She don't scold or she don't flatter
But she does the tattering Joe
On with Will the Weaver-O

Said, oh son, go home and love her
Do not find no fault above her
And if she does not do well
Pick up a stick and beat her well

He went home and a friend he met him
Thus he said but just to fret him
Saw your wife awhile ago
On with Will the Weaver-O

He went home in the devil of a wonder
Rapped at the door just like thunder
Who is that the weaver cried
It's my husband you'd better hide

Up the chimney Willie ventured
Through the door her husband entered
Searching all the walls around
Not a soul could be found

He sat down by the fireside a-weeping
'Til up the chimney he does a-peeping
There he spied the wretched soul
Sitting on the pot-rack pole

He built on a rousing fire
Just to suit his own desire
While she cried with a free good will
Don't do that for the man you'll kill

He put on a little more fuel
[?] [?] love why do you
Take him down and spare his life
If you want me to be your loving wife

He reached up and down he fetched him
Like a racoon dog he catched him
Where his wife beat him red
Made the poor weaver wish he was dead

He went home and his wife she met him
Up with a stick and down she set him
Where he was red, beat him blue
Every word of this is true
Jerry Garcia Recordings
     Date Album Recorded By
      4 May 1963 Before The Dead Jerry and Sara Garcia

Further Information
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography
For information on references in the lyrics see David Dodd's Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics

 


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