Nine Questions- Margaret Tuckwiller
[Tuckwiller's abbreviated version is missing the introductory and closing stanzas associated with the US versions. The second line is unusual: "Sing fall-de-rall-de-hall-de," which repalces "Sing nine and ninety-nine." The last two stanzas are slightly different than the typical US versions. R. Matteson 2011]
Nine Questions- Margaret Tuckwiller, Greenbriar Co. WV. Collected by Vivian Richardson, no date given. Appears with music in Singa Hippy Doodle 1971. Tuckwiller says, "The name is known as 'Nine Questions' but there never were but eight and you'll understand why!"
Oh, what is whiter than the milk?
Sing fall-de-rall-de-hall-de.
And what is softer than the silk?
For I'm the weaver's Bonnie.
Oh, snow is whiter than the milk
Sing fall-de-rall-de-hall-de.
And down is softer than the silk
For I'm the weaver's Bonnie.
Oh, what is higher than a tree?
Sing fall-de-rall-de-hall-de.
And what is deeper than the sea?
For I'm the weaver's Bonnie.
Oh, Heaven is higher than a tree
Sing fall-de-rall-de-hall-de.
And Hell is deeper than the sea
For I'm the weaver's Bonnie.
Oh, what is louder than a horn?
Sing fall-de-rall-de-hall-de.
And what is sharper than a thorn?
For I'm the weaver's Bonnie.
Thunder is louder than a horn
Sing fall-de-rall-de-hall-de.
And death is sharper than a thorn
For I'm the weaver's Bonnie.
Oh, what is swifter than the hind?
Sing fall-de-rall-de-hall-de.
And what is worse than womankind?
For I'm the weaver's Bonnie.
Well, lightning's swifter than the hind,
Sing fall-de-rall-de-hall-de.
And the devil is worse than womankind
For I'm the weaver's Bonnie.