Bluegrass Messengers

No Sir John- Mrs. Hezeltine (Corn) 1913 Sharp MS

[Composite with music from Cecil Sharp Manuscript Collection (at Clare College, Cambridge) (CJS2/10/2848). This is a composite of three songs, the first is Madam with the "No Sir" chorus.

R. Matteson 2017]

No Sir, John - Mrs. Hezeltine of Cambone Cornwall on May 12, 1913. Collected by Cecil Sharp.

What care I for gold and silver?
What care I for house or land?
What care I for the world of treasure?
All I want is a handsome man.
CHORUS 1: No sir John, no sir John,
Still the fair maid answered no.

Handsome man will not maintain you,
He would fade and die away,
Like a flower in the season,
He would fade and die away.
CHORUS 1: No sir John, no sir John,
Still the fair maid answered no.

Madam let me tie your garter,
[Let me tie it above your knee.
If I should reach a little higher
Would you think it rude of me?]
CHORUS 1: No sir John, no sir John,
Still the fair maid answered no.

Billy is the lad that I do admire,
Billy is the lad that I do adore,
And should I never desire,
[To] never see my Billy no more.
CHORUS 2: Walk along John, walk along John,
All sit tangled your work is done, walk along John.

Maidens walking with their sweethearts
[ ] until they're dry,
I'll have you beware of a shy young fellow,
Never let him come too nigh.
CHORUS 2: Walk along John, walk along John,
All sit tangled your work is done, walk along John.

Betsy knee[sic] with painted faces
all on clothes is trimmed with laces
Ankle small and clothes so slender
Y'all, y'all, y'all
CHORUS 2: Walk along John, walk along John,
All sit tangled your work is done, walk along John.