The Ballad of the Bald Knobbers
Adieu to old Kirbyville, I can no longer stay, Hard times and Bald Knobbers has driven me away, Hard times and Bald Knobbers has caused me for to roam, My name is Andrew Coggburn, near Kirbyville's my home. My friends and relations, it's much against my will To leave my dear old mother and go from Kirbyville. But for the sake of dear ones, who want me for to go, I'll arm myself with weapons and I'm off to Mexico.
Bald Knobbers are no gentlemen, they're nothing more than hogs, they tried to hunt me down & treat me like a dog. They're nothing but big rascals, and their names I'll expose.They'll take all of your money and rob you of your clothes. There's one big Bald Knobber who is a noted rogue. He stole from Joseph Bookout some sixteen head of hogs. Walked boldly in the courthouse and swore they was his own. He stole them by the drove and horsed 'em over home.
There's another Bald Knobber who rides a pony blue. He robbed old Nell MacCully and Mister Thompson, too. He took from them their money and from them rode away, And now the highway robbers is the big men of the day. There's one big black rascal whose name I will expose. His name is Nat N. Kinney, and he wears his Federal clothes. He tries to boss the people and make them do his will. There's some that does not fear him, but others mind him still.
To raise Bald Knobber excitement, I made a splended hand. I don't fear judge nor jury, I don't fear any man. .If the Knobbers want to try me, they've nothing else to do. I'll take me my old Colt and I'll make an opening through. These Knobbers run the country, but they can't keep it up. They'll stick their tail between their legs, like any other pup. And there a day a-coming when they will hunt their dens, And if I'm not mistaken, there's some will find their ends.
I've tried to live in peace with all, Bald Knobbers they say no; and if you don't do what they say, you have to up and go. My mother begs & pleads with me, she's fearful for my life; she wants me to depart from here & from Bald Knobber strife. For each stripe that they gave me, I've sworn to get a man I'm spending all my time now in thinning down the klan. And there's a day a-coming when they all will hunt their dens, and if I'm not mistaken, there's more will find their ends.
Song written by Anti-Bald Knobbers in the 1880's, some say Andrew or Robert Coggburn composed it; Mary Elizabeth Mahnkey believed "Aunt Matt" Moore wrote it. |