If You Will Only Be My Bride- Midgett (NC) 1920 Brown B
[From Brown Collection Volume 3, 1952 edited by Belden, Hudson and all. The Brown notes follow.
R. Matteson 2017]
3. The Courting Cage
So called in the Ozarks, according to Vance Randolph (OASPS 216-19), though he confesses that he does not know what a courting cage is (in OFS iii 361-3. where he gives a Missouri version, he suggests that it is a corruption of "court engaged"). In Virginia it is called 'The Courting Case' (SharpK 11 249-51) or 'Kind Sir' (SCSM 305-6) or 'The Drunkard's Courtship' (FSV 232-4). Chappell calls his North Carolina version (FSRA 199-200) 'The Drunkard's Courtship.' It has been found also in Mississippi (FSM 168-9), Indiana (SFLQ v 182-3). and Michigan (BSSM 417-19).
B. 'If You Will Only Be My Bride.' Contributed by J. B. Midgett of Wanchese, Roanoke Island, probably in 1920. With the tune.
1. 'Kind miss, I have a very fine ship,
She plows the ocean wide.
And she can be at your command
If you will only be my bride, bride,
If you will only be my bride.'
2. 'Kind sir, I know you have a very fine ship,
And she plows the ocean wide.
And she can be at my command;
But I will not be your bride, bride.
But I will not be your bride.'
3. 'Then, kind miss, I have a very fine farm,
It is fifty acres wide.
And it can be at your command
If you will only be my bride, bride,
If you will only be my bride.'
4. 'Kind sir, I know you have a very fine farm
That's fifty acres wide.
And it can be at my command ;
But I will not be your bride, bride,
I will not be your bride.'
5. 'Now, kind miss, I have a very fine horse,
He paces like the tide.
And he shall be at your command
If you will only be my bride, bride.
If you will only be my bride.'
6. 'I know, kind sir, you have a very fine horse
That paces like the tide;
He knows the way to the old grog[1] shop.
For his master paces him there, there.
For his master paces him there.'
7. 'Kind miss, I have a very fine house
That stands in yonder yard.
And it shall be at your command
If you will only be my bride, bride.
If you will only be my bride.'
8. 'Kind sir, I know you have a very fine house
That stands in yonder yard.
But who is going to stay with me at night
When you are out playing cards, cards,
When you are out playing cards?'
9. 'Kind miss, I never did play cards,
I never thought it right.
But if you'll consent to marry me
I'll stay with you at night, night,
I'll stay with you at night.'
10. 'Sence you are so quarrelsome.
So thundering hard to please.
When you get old and pinched with cold
I hope to God you'll freeze, freeze,
I hope to God you'll freeze!'
11. 'When I get old and pinched with cold
It won't be you to keep me warm;
I'll get somebody I love much better
And lie closer in his arms, arms,
And lie closer in his arms.'
1. [Brown footnote] tavern, where you can buy (grog) alcohol.