“Come Here, Roberta” is one of the beautiful songs. I first heard Leadbelly singing it when I was a teenager, and I’ve changed a few of the words in passing it along.
The words Old Time Used-to-be are mournful and melancholy. When I was young, Old Time Used-to-be was an unrequited lover. But as I grow old, Old Time Used-to-be becomes the Past itself with its many memories of happiness, pleasure and dearly departed love. As simple as it is, and because it is as simple as it is, the song is powerful stuff.
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Come here, Roberta.
Come here, Roberta.
Sit down on my knee.
Come here, Roberta.
Sit down on my knee.
Something I want to tell you
That’s been worrying me
I’m going to go down to the river
Sit down on the ground
I’m going to go down to the river
Sit down on the ground
Sit right here
Till Roberta comes down
Looking up the river
As far as I can see
Looking up the river
As far as I can see
Thought I saw
Old time used-to-be
I thought I saw
Old Time Used-to-be
I thought I saw
Old Time Used-to-be
Lord, it was not nothing
But an old willow tree
Come here, Roberta.
Sit down on my knee.
Come here, Roberta.
Sit down on my knee.
Something I want to tell you
That’s been troubling me
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