187
Hard of Hearing
The note on this in SharpK (where it is reported, 11 252, from
North Carolina) shows that it is known in Scotland and in Eng-
land. In this country it has not often been reported by collectors —
very likely because, like many of the Mother Goose rhymes, it is
so familiar. Texts have been published from Arkansas (OFS iii
40) and from Missouri (BSM 265, OFS iii 39), and Davis (FSV
235) reports it from Virginia.
'Old Woman.' From the manuscripts of Obadiah Johnson of Crossnore.
Avery county, who had it from the singing of Ethel Burleson and Joe
Powles. It is pure dialogue throughout. Each line is repeated once,
so that it runs in couplets, but this repetition is not given in our print.
'Old w^oman, old woman, are you fond of smoking?'
'Speak a little louder, sir ; I am very hard of hearing,'
'Old woman, old woman, are you fond of quilting?'
'Speak a little louder, sir ; I am very hard of hearing.'
'Old woman, old woman, are you fond of courting?'
'Speak a little louder, sir; I've just begun to hear you.*
'Old woman, old woman, would you like to marry?'
'Lock a mas upon my soul,^ now I think I hear you.
-----------------------
187
Hard of Hearing
'Old Woman.' Sung by Miss Ethel Burleson and Joe Powles. Recorded ; no
date or place given. According to the structure of the tune, each line is to be
repeated. This is also true of the Cecil Sharp version (see below).
For melodic relationship cf. ***SharpK 11 252, No. 178; SHP 16.
Scale: Pentachordal. Tonal Center: e-flat. Structure: ababcbcb (2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2)
= aabb (4,4,4,4) ; b is partly related to a.
187(1)
'Old Woman.' Sung by Miss Pearle Webb. From previous recording of Dr.
W. A. Abrams, Boone, Watauga county ; no date given.
'Lock a mas up - on my soul, now I hear you plain - ly.'
Scale: Hexatonic (6), plagal. Tonal Center: g. Structure: aabb^ (4,4,4,4).