326. Devilish Mary
'Devilish Mary.' Sung by Horton Barker. From the previous recording of
Dr. W. A. Abrams, Watauga county, probably 1941. This text somewhat re-
sembles that of SharpK 11 200, No. 149B, which begins: "When I was young
and full of love."
was grow - ing up I thought I'd nev - er
mar - ry. I saw so man - y pret - ty lit - tie girls But
none of them would have me. Rah - rah rinc - tum
hoo - la ma-rinc-tum, Rah-rah rinc-tum Dai - sie, Rah rinc-tum
hoc la ma - rinc - tum, Rah - rah ain't she a dai - sie?
Scale: Pentachordal, plagal. Tonal Center: a. Structure: aaibb^ (44,4,4).
2 One little girl I come across
Lived up in London's dairy,
Her hair was as red as a golden thread,
And they called her Devilish Mary.
3 We hadn't been courtin' but a week or two,
We both got in a hurry ;
Both agreed in the same old spot
That we'd marry the very next Thursday.
4 We hadn't been married but a week or two.
She just looked like the devil,
And every word I'd say to her
She'd crack my head with a shovel.
5 One night when I was late gettin' in,
And she was in a blunder,
She opened a big ol' licker jug
And floored my head like thunder.
6 Mary, she's a good ol' girl.
She cooks and washes the dishes ;
But every time that girl gets mad
She wants to wear my britches.
7 If I ever marry again in this world,
It'll be for the love of riches,
I'll marry a girl sixteen feet high
That can't get in my britches.