No John No- Archer Goode (Glou) 1975 Davies
[From: Gwilym Davies Collection, sent to me by Gwilym who commented: "Archer explained that he had learnt it from Sam Bennett, the Ilmington Morris dancer, who always did it with a lady as a duet, so he asked Carol, my wife, to sing the lady's part. I have a feeling that a verse somehow got cut off in the recording, but there you are."
The version is virtually the same as the version found in Sharp's 100 English Folk Songs so it should be considered a cover song. This was sung as a duet-- part of one stanza was cut off and the last word.
R. Matteson 2017]
No John, No - As sung by the Archer Goode of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire on January 6, 1975. Collector: Davies, Gwilym
He: On yonder hill there stands a creature,
Who she is I do not know;
I'll go and court her for her beauty,
She must answer "Yes" or "No."
She: Oh, no, John, no, John, no, John, no.
She: My father was a Spanish captain,
Went to sea a month ago;
First he kissed me, then he left me,
Bid me always answer "No!"
Oh, no, John, no, John, no, John, no.
He: O madam, in your face is beauty,
On your lips red roses grow;
Will you take me for your lover?
Madam, answer "Yes" or "No."
She: Oh, no, John, no, John, no, John, no.
He: 0 madam, I will give you jewels,
I will make you rich and free,
1 will give you silken dresses;
Madam, will you marry me?
She: Oh, no, John, no, John, no, John, no.
He: O madam, since you are so cruel,
And that you do scorn me so,
If I may not be your lover,
Madam, will you let me go?
She: Oh, no, John, no, John, no, John, no.
He: Then I will stay with you forever,
If you will not be unkind;
Madam, I have vowed to love you,
Would you have me change my mind?
She: Oh, no, John, no, John, no, John, no.