No Sir, No- Greening (Dors) 1906 Composite
[Composite by Frank Purslow from 'Marrowbones' (notes written, arrangement created about 2003; reissued 2013) under the name 'No Sir No' (Hammond nos D 417 and D 880). The verses are form John Greening of Cuckold's Corner, Dorset in May 1906, verse 3 is from "Madam," the chorus, tune and 4-7 verses are from Mrs. Bowring of Cerne Abbas, Dorset in December 1907.
The notes in Marrow Bones are from Gardham who recognizes that verse 3 is from a different song. At this time "Oh No John and No Sir were lumped together.
R. Matteson 2017]
No Sir, No- composite wiht first two stanzas from John Greening of Cuckold's Corner, Dorset in May 1906, verse 3 is from "Madam." The chorus, tune and 4-7 verses are from Mrs. Bowring of Cerne Abbas, Dorset in December 1907.
Pretty maid walking in the garden,
Who she is I do not know,
I'll go court her for her beauty,
Let the answer be Yes! or No!
(Chorus)
O dear O! No! Sir No!
Still her answer to me was No!
Madam I am come a-courting,
Hoping your favour I shall gain
If you'll kindly entertain me,
Perhaps some day I'll call again.
My husband is a Spanish captain
Left me to mourn three weeks ago.
The very last time we kissed and parted
He told me - Always answer No!
Lady walking in the garden,
No aloner might you be
If I should walk along beside you
Would that be any harm to thee?
Stooping down to tie her garter,
Just a little above her knee,
If my hand should slide any farther
Would that be any harm to thee?
So they lay all night together,
Till the cocks began to crow
Now the daylight is appearing
Open your arms and let me go.
There's one more thing I have to ask you
That's before I let you go,
Did you ever sleep more sweeter,
Was you ever cuddled so?