A Sport Song- Mary Avery (NY) 1944 Cazden
[Recording AFS 07763 A01 Catskill Folk Festival; Camp Woodland August 1944 also Cazden, Folk Songs of the Catskills pp.150-152.
R. Matteson 2017]
A Sport Song- sung by Mary Avery of Stone Ridge, New York.
1. Madam I have come a-courtin'
Oh dear, dear Oh!
Not for courtin' not for sportin',
Oh dear, dear Oh!
Well going to bed is my desire,
Fol-de-riddle li-de-ay
And you may set alone by the fire,
Fol-de-riddle li-de-ay.
2. Here's a ring, cost forty shilling,
Oh dear, dear Oh!
And you may wear it if thou art willing,
Oh dear, dear Oh!
I want none of your rings or money.
Fol-de-riddle li-de-ay
But give me the boy that calls me honey,
Fol-de-riddle li-de-ay.
3. Must I die without religion,
Oh dear, dear Oh!
Or must I live in sin forever,
Oh dear, dear Oh!
You must learn to lie and flatter,
Fol-de-riddle li-de-ay
Or else you'll never get any better,
Fol-de-riddle li-de-ay.
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