Quaker's Courtship- L. C. Wimberly (IO) 1916 Pound
[American Ballads and Songs by Louise Pound - 1922 - her notes follow.
R. Matteson 2017]
THE QUAKER'S COURTSHIP. Text obtained from Iowa by L. C. Wimberly, in 1916. For this song, see Newell, Games and Songs of American Children (1903), p. 94. It is an importation from England, like most of the following pieces.
108. THE QUAKER'S COURTSHIP
"Madam, I have come a-courting, hi, ho, hum!
I'm for business, not for sporting, hi, ho hum!"
"That you go home is my desire, rol dol dil a day.
Unless you stay and court the fire, rol dol dil a day."
"I've a ring that's worth a shilling, hi ho hum.
Thou mayst wear it if thou'rt willing, hi ho hum!"
"O I don't want your ring or money, rol dol dil a day.
I want a man that'll call me honey, rol dol dil a day."
"I've a kitchen full of servants, hi ho hum!
Thou mayst be a mistress o'er them, hi ho hum."
"Indeed I'll not be scolded for you, rol dol dil a day.
Indeed I think myself above you, rol dol dil a day."
"I've a stable full of horses, hi ho hum,
Thou mayst ride them at my bidding, hi ho hum."
"Indeed I'll not be jockey for you, rol dol dil a day.
I think I'm better off without you, rol dol dil a day."
"Must I give up my religion? O dear me!
Must I join the Presbyterians? O dear me!"
"O you go home and tell your daddy, rol dol dil a day,
That you couldn't get me ready, rol dol dil a day!"
"O you go home and tell your mother, rol dol dil a day,
That you're a fool and lots of bother, rol dol dil a day."
"Must I leave without one token? O dear me!
Must I die with my heart broken? O dear me."
"Cheer up, cheer up, my loving brother, hi ho hum,
If you can't catch me just catch another, hi ho hum!"