The Triplett Tragedy
The Watson Family Lyrics

A horrible sight I'll now relate,
I will describe a terrible incident.

On Yadkin Elk it did take place,
This happened on the Yadkin Elk river.

On Christmas morning at nine o'clock,
It occurred on Christmas morning at nine o'clock.

The people met an awful shock.
Everyone was shocked by what happened.

At Marshall Triplett's this begun.
The incident started at Marshall Triplett's home.

The brothers met, it seemed in fun.
The brothers met, seemingly for a friendly gathering.

They drank together all as one,
They all drank alcohol.

And then the trouble it begun.
Then things took a turn for the worse.

Then Marshall seemed to stand in the rear,
Marshall moved towards the back of the room.

And struck Columbus with the chair,
Marshall hit Columbus with a chair.

"There is one thing that I do know,
Marshall made a statement:

You drink only to save your own."
He accused Columbus of drinking for selfish reasons.

They met in combat near the barn.
The brothers fought near the barn.

Mrs. Triplett went to stop this wrong.
Marshall's wife tried to break up the fight.

Columbus stabbed Marshall in the thigh,
Columbus injured Marshall by stabbing him in the thigh.

And left him on the ground to die.
And he did not help him, leaving him to die.

Then Marshall's wife in great distress
Marshall's wife was very upset.

Stayed by her husband while in death.
She stayed with her husband while he was dying.

The children's screams was heard around,
The children were screaming and everyone could hear it.

Which did produce a solemn sound.
This created a very serious and sad atmosphere.

Then Lum went off at to go away
Lum (Columbus) left to go somewhere.

And met Gran Triplett on his way.
He met Gran Triplett on his journey.

At Leroy Triplett's this was said,
They had a conversation at Leroy Triplett's residence.

Lum said to Gran, "Your father's dead."
Lum told Gran that his father had died.

Lum said to Gran, "I'll let you know,
Lum made a promise to Gran.

I've killed your father at his home.
He said he was responsible for his father's death.

I'll now surrender up to thee.
He promised to give himself up to Gran.

You treat me kindly if you please."
He asked Gran to be kind to him.

Gran said to Lum, "One thing I'll do.
Gran had something in mind.

If you killed father I'll kill you."
He threatened to kill Lum if he really did kill his father.

He then beat Lum at a dreadful rate
Gran beat Lum severely.

And made bad bruises on his face.
Lum had several bruises on his face as a result.

Gran then took Lum to Wautauga jail.
Gran took Lum to jail in Wautauga.

He went behind the bars to stay.
Lum was put behind bars.

Those beats and bruises they inflamed,
Lum's injuries got worse over time.

Which brought Columbus to his grave.
And these injuries caused Columbus to die.

Those brothers sleep in the same graveyard,
The brothers are buried in the same cemetery.

Their wives and children troubled hard,
Their families were greatly affected by their deaths.

Their resting place there sure must be,
Their grave is their resting place.

Till they shall rise at Judgement Day.
They will remain there until Judgement Day.

At Judgement Day we hope they'll rise
We hope they will rise on Judgement Day.

To meet their Savior in the skies.
To meet Jesus in heaven.

To sing God's praises o'er and o'er,
To praise God repeatedly.

And be with Christ forever more.
To be with Jesus for eternity.

The sheriff then went on the round.
The sheriff went to look for someone.

To see if Granville could be found.
He was looking for Granville, probably for questioning or arrest.

There at his home he did abound,
The sheriff found Granville at home.

And at that place he was then found.
Granville was found at home by the sheriff.

Sheriff Webb held court up in our town
Sheriff Webb presided over Granville's hearing in town.

And sent him on to the chain gang.
And he was sent to the chain gang (a prison labor force).

For eighteen months he there must stay,
He had to stay there for a year and a half.

Except the governor hear him pray.
Unless the governor pardons him.

Young men, take warning by this case,
The song warns young men to learn from this incident.

Don't use strong drink while in life's race.
To avoid drinking alcohol in their lifetime.

Leave all such stuff then far behind,
To leave alcohol completely behind.

And your kind parents you should mind.
To respect and listen to their parents' advice.