THE CREPE UPON THE LITTLE CABIN DOOR (*)
(aka THE CREPE ON THE OLD CABIN DOOR)
(Thompson / Guernsey)

Vernon Dalhart - 1928

Also recorded by: Buddy Williams; Slim Dusty; 
James Roberts; Carson J. Robison.


Oh, young fellows, do take warning
While you this tale I tell
I tell it from a heart that's sad and sore

Come and learn from me a lesson
As I have learned it well
From the crepe upon the little cabin door

Oh, I left my home and kindred
And those who loved me well
It broke my mother's heart, the life I led

Then, from her there came a letter
To say she wished me well
Now I tell to you the pleading words I read

"I'm getting old and feeble
My hair will soon be grey
And every day I'm waiting at the door

Oh, my boy, come home to see me
Before I go away
Oh, I fear I'll never see you anymore"

But I did not heed the warning
I'd hear it day by day
Just wasting time on women, wine and song

But this kind of sinful pleasure
Lasts only for a day
And the sorrows of repentance last so long

Then at last I journied homeward
And as I climbed the hill
I thought to see my mother's face once more

But as I passed through the gateway
My aching heart stood still
There was crepe upon the little cabin door

Oh, young fellows, do take warning
You've heard this tale I tell
You've heard it from a heart that's sad and sore

Come and learn from me a lesson
As I have learned it well
From the crepe upon the little cabin door


(Transcribed by Monique Adriaansen & Mel Priddle - February 2005)


*****


(*) 
Buddy Williams also has a track listing for "...Cabin Floor", 
as well as the "...Cabin Door" version.
The original song is definitely about crepe paper on a cabin door, 
and the title has been messed with over the years. 
Written by Thompson & Guernsey and recorded way back in the 1920s 
(also popped up in the '40s) by American C&W radio/recording pioneers 
like Vernon Dalhart, James Roberts and Carson J. Robison. 
Variously titled "Crepe Upon the Little Cabin Door", 
"Crepe on the Old Cabin Door" (seems to be the most 'official' one), 
"The Crepe on the Old Cabin Door", "Crepe on the Cabin Door", etc.


(Additional info by Graham Gibson - February 2005)