Who's That Knocking on My Window is the Carters' version of the traditional English ballad the Drowsy Sleeper also know as "Awake Awake" and "Silver Dagger." The song dates bacK to 1817:


Bodleian Ballad index features this version of "Drowsy Sleeper:"

Awake awake ye drowsy sleeper,
Awake awake, 'tis almost day!
How can you sleep, ye darling creature
Since you have stole my heart away?

In the US it's known also as O Molly dear/O Katie Dear and has been collected by Sharp as "Awake Awake" in 1916-1917.


WHO'S THAT KNOCKING ON MY WINDOW Carter Family

Who's that knockin' at my window,
Knocks so loud and won't come in?
'Tis your own true-hearted lover
Rise you up and let him in

Go 'way, go 'way, don't wake my mother
For love's a thing she can't endure
She's been the ruin of many a lover
She'll be the ruin of many more

I've come to whisper in your ear, love
Do you think it any harm?
I've come to wean you of your mother
Pray trust yourself in your darling's arms!

Go 'way go 'way, don't wake my father
For he is on his bed of rest
And on his breast he carries a *weapon
To kill the one that I love best

I wish I was some little sparrow
I'd circle like a turtle dove
I'd fly away to a lonely valley
And settle down in the land of love

* pronounced "wee-pon.