Bluegrass Messengers

Gambling Suitor- Ellas Shifflet (VA) 1956 Chase

[No date given. From Richard Chase, "American Folk Tales and Songs," 1964; recorded on Tradition, TLP 1011 by Jean Ritchie & Paul Clayton.

R. Matteson 2017]

 "The Gambling Suitor." Sung by Miss Ella Shifflett who lives on a mountain in Greene County, VA.

Sir, I see you come again
Pray tell me why it's so;
When I left you in Barbourville,
I told you to come no more
I told you to come no more.

Miss, I have a very fine house,
Newly built with pine,
And you may have it at your command
If you will be my bride
If you will be my bride.

Sir, I know it's a very fine house,
Also a very fine yard
But who will stay at home with me
When you're out playing cards,
When you're out playing cards?

I never played a cards in all my life,
I never thought it right;
If you'll consent to marry me
I'll stay out n'ary one night.

Miss, I have a very fine farm,
It's sixty acres wide,
And you shall have it at your command
If you will be my bride
If you will be my bride.

Sir, I know it's a very fine farm,
Full of very fine fruit,
As you come in I'll drive you out,
For you know a hog must root,
For you know a hog must root.

Miss, I have a very fine horse,
He paces like the tide,
And you may have him at your command,
Whenever you wish to ride,
Whenever you wish to ride.

Sir, I know he's a very fine horse,
Also a very fine barn,
But his master drinks and gambles so,
I'm afraid his horse will learn,
I'm afraid his horse will learn.

Madam he is a very fine horse,
He pulls my buggy well,
I'll drink my fill and throw my cards,
And you may go to-- Baltimore,
And you may go to-- Baltimore.