Bluegrass Messengers

Courting Case- Fanny Coffey (VA) 1918 Sharp A

[From Sharp's "English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians," 1932 edition edited Karpeles.

R. Matteson 2017]

"Courting Case." Sung by Mrs. Fanny Coffey at White Rock, Nelson Co., Va., May 8th, 1918.

O madam, I am a courting case,
For you I've lain in woon,
For you I'd give up all my store,
If it was ten thousand pounds,
If it was ten thousand pounds.

 O yes, you are a courting case
Like many I have seen,
But if you think you're courting me,
I think you're very green,
I think you're very green.

O madam, I've a very fine farm,
Full sixty acres wide,
And it shall be at your command
If you will be my bride,
If you will be my bride.

O yes, you have a very fine farm
And a piece of woods to boot,
But when I get in that fine farm
But when I get in that fine farm,
I'll hang you on a root.

O madam, I've a very fine house
And it's plastered white inside,
And it shall be at your command,
If you will be my bride,
If you will be my bride.

O yes, you have a very fine house
And it's plastered white inside,
But when I get in that fine house
I'll soon shut you outside
I'll soon shut you outside.

O madam, you're a silly jade
And very hard to please;
When you get old and the weather gets cold
I hope to God you'll freeze,
I hope to God you'll freeze.

While I am young with a flattering tongue
I keep myself from harm.
When I get old and the weather gets cold
My clothes will keep me warm,
My clothes will keep me warm.