Rosewood Casket (Version 1, key of A, capo 2)
Public domain - full karaoke IMMHA-L374
Credit: Louis P. Goullaud & Charles A. White (sheet says Traditional) · 1870
Origin: 'The Little Rosewood Casket', words and music credited to Louis P. Goullaud and Charles A. White, sheet music 1870; long since passed into oral tradition (Roud 426) and public domain. The sheet says 'Traditional'. Version 1 of 2: typed with handwritten chords and strum slashes, 4/4 time, key of A (capo 2), 'Traditional', with a water stain. Typed as 'true loves hand'.
Source: https://balladindex.org/Ballads/R763.html
Lyrics sheet: courtesy of Country Roads Folk Music Camp, Mount Madonna County Park, California (about the camp)
Original scan: from John's songbook (scan to be posted on @IMMHACAL)
Chords as printed on the original song sheet. Chords as handwritten; the last line of verse 4 has a crossed-out chord change, shown as best read.
A E7 A There's a little rosewood casket E7 A Resting on a marble stand A D A With a packet of old love letters E7 A Written by my true loves hand A E7 A Go and bring them to me sister E7 A Read them o'er to me tonight A D A I have often tried but could not E7 A For the tears that filled my eyes E7 E7 A When I'm dead and in my coffin E7 A When I gently fall asleep D A Fall asleep to wake in heaven E7 A Dearest sister, do not weep A E7 A Take his letters and his locket D A Place them gently on my heart A D D A But this golden ring that he gave to me E7 A From my finger never part.