Quaker's Courtship- Ben Henneberry (NS) 1929 Creighton
[From Creighton's Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia, 1933. Reprinted with minor changes by Fowke and Johnston in "Folk Songs of Canada."
R. Matteson 2017]
THE QUAKER'S COURTSHIP- sung by Ben Henneberry of Devil's Island about 1929.
1. (HE) "Madam, I have come a-courting,
O dear,
Not for pleasure not for sporting,
O dear."
2. (SHE) "You may sit and court the fire.
Tee diddle ding dum, ding dum dey.
To go to bed is my desire.
Tee diddle ding dum, ding dum dey."
3. (HE) "I've a ring and forty shillings,
O dear.
You may have them if you're v/illing,
O dear."
4. (SHE) "I don't want your ring and money.
Tee diddle ding dum, ding dum dey.
I want a young man to call me honey.
Tee diddle ding dum, ding dum dey."
5. (HE) "Madam, you are young and tender,
O dear.
And your waist is small and slender,
O dear,"
6. (SHE) "But you know the way to flatter,
Tee diddle ding dum, ding dum dey.
But I do despise a Quaker,
Tee diddle ding dum, ding dum dey."
7. (HE) "I'll go home and tell my daddy,
O dear.
That you're not disposed to marry,
O dear."
8. (SHE) "You go home and tell your daddy.
Tee diddle ding dum, ding dum dey.
Find a Quaker girl to marry,
Tee diddle ding dum, ding dum dey."