And well she knew her brothers
Would take his precious life.

She ran to a nearby pasture
And catching a horse by the mane,
She mounted and rode like a soldier,
With neither saddle nor rein.

Her golden hair streamed behind her,
Her eyes were wild and bright,
As she urged her swift steed forward
And galloped away in the night.

Straight to the Hatfields' stronghold,
She rode so fearless and brave,
To tell them that Jonse was in danger
And beg them his life to save.

And the Hatfields rode in a body.
They saved young Jonse's life;
But never, they said, a Hatfield
Should take a McCoy to wife.

But the feud is long forgotten
And time has healed the sting,
As little Bud and Melissy
This song of their kinsmen sing.

No longer it is forbidden
That a fair-haired young McCoy
Shall love her dark-eyed neighbor
Or marry a Hatfield boy.

And the people still remember,
Though she never became his bride,
The love of these young people
And Rosanna's midnight ride.

--Coby Preston

LEGEND

THE ROBIN'S RED BREAST

Through the southern mountains the Robin is often called the "Christ
Bird" because of this legend. It is also called "Love Bird."

The Savior hung upon the cross,
His body racked with mortal pain;
The blood flowed from His precious wounds
And sweat dropped from His brow like rain.

A crown of thorns was on His head,
The bitter cup He meekly sips;
His life is ebbing fast away,
A prayer upon His blessed lips.

No mercy found He anywhere,
He said, "My Father knoweth best."
A little bird came fluttering down
And hovered near his bleeding breast.

It fanned His brow with gentle wings,
Into the cup it dipped its beak;
And gazed in pity w