I Come You a-Courting- Matt Linehan (Ker) c.1948
[My date, title. Text from Mainly Norfolk as sung by Matt Linehan, Kerry and collected by Seamus Ennis. No date or title given.
R. Matteson 2017]
I Come You a-Courting- sung by Matt Linehan of Kerry about 1948 collected by Seamus Ennis.
I says, "Fair maid I come you a-courting,
Your fine features for to win,
If you'll kindly entertain me
Some dark night I'll call again."
She says, "Kind sir, you've come me a-courting,
My fine features for to win,
And if I kindly entertain you,
You may never call again."
She sent me very tight all over,
Including the crown of my old hat,
I pulled out my "pouse" revolver
And let fly a terror shot.
When I heard the answer that she made me,
I called her a bloody bean,
"Don't you know to whom you're talking?
I am Linnehan from Lisheen.
"I have gold and I have money,
I have cattle and I have land,
I have ships upon the ocean
Ready to sail at my command."
"I don't want your gold or money,
I don't want your cattle and land,
I don't want your ships from the ocean;
All I want is a fine young man."
Courtin' women is foolish folly
And marryin' women is just the same.
Courtin' women when they're not willin'
Is like throwin' water against the stream.