No Sir- Frances Repetto (TC) 1938 Munch
[From Peter Munch, "Song Tradition of Tristan da Cunha" (1970) pp.90-93 (version C). Munch's notes follow. Tristan da Cunha was a British colony in the early 1800s and it is assumed the songs are of British origin. Munch also collected two version of "Madam" which are his A and B versions. It's unclear of the source of Stanza 5 which is found in traditional versions of Oh No John. Other than stanza 5 the text is similar to Wakefield's.
R. Natteson 2017]
No Sir
Text: C, Frances Repetto (stanzas 1-4, in writing); Mary Swain (stanza 5). C, Alice Swain (Glass).
Cf. "Oh, No, No, Sir, No" (Korson, 1949, p. 50 f.), which shows that there is a traditional connection between versions A and B on the one hand and version C on the other. Numerous other versions have been recorded and published from various parts of England and North America. Stanza 5 of version C is obviously a secondary addition. It was not included by either Frances Repetto or Alice Swain and was generally treated as a separate ditty. Alice Swain sang the refrain of version C:
No, John, no, John, etc.
No, Sir
or
Lady Dear
1. "Tell me one thing, tell me truly,
tell me why you scorn me so,
Tell me why, when asked a question,
you will always answer no:
No, Sir, no, Sir,
no, Sir, no, Sir, no, Sir. no."
2. "My father was a Spanish merchant,
and before he went to sea,
He told me to be sure and answer
no to all you said to me:
No, Sir, no, Sir.
no, Sir, no, Sir, no, Sir, no."
3. "If when walking in the garden,
plucking flowers all wet with dew,
Oh, tell me, would you be offended
if I walk and talk with you?"
"No, Sir, no, Sir,
no, Sir, no, Sir, no, Sir, no."
4. "If when walking in the garden,
and I should ask you to be mine,
And should tell you that I love you,
would you then my heart decline?"
"No, Sir, no, Sir,
no, Sir, no, Sir, no, Sir, no."
5. "Lady dear, let me tie your garter
just one inch above your knee;
If my hand should slip 'little higher,'
would you think it rude of me?"
"No, Sir, no, Sir,
no, Sir, no, Sir, no, Sir no."