Quaker's Wooing- Abiah Asley (MA) 1939 Linscott
[From: Folk Songs of Old New England, Linscott 1939. Her notes follow. This is attributed to Abiah Ashley (Hathaway) by Linscott. Ashley was born in Freetown, Mass., October 12, 1780 and died in Assonet, Mass., October 11, 1873. However, clearly this is from a descendant (one of her 12 children) but Linscott does not say which descendant it's from or when it was taken from Ashley. Therefore, it's impossible to give an early date-- which could be much earlier, even to the late 1700s.
R. Matteson 2017]
The twelve children of Abiah Ashley could not help learning the songs that were handed down to her by family traditions. Abiah had an unusual voice, and her descendants consider her songs a precious heritage.
Quaker's Wooing- attributed to Abiah Ashley through her children by Linscott, 1939
1. "Madam, I have come a-courtin',
Oh, dear me!
I'm for pleasure and for sportin',
Oh, dear me! "
I want none of your Quaker action,
Fol lol lol lol lay,
You're enough to breed distraction,
Fol lol lol lol, fol lol lay.
2. "I've a ring that's worth a shilling,
Oh, dear me!
Thou may'st wear it if thou'rt willing,
Oh, dear me!"
"I don't want your ring or your money,
Fol lol lol lol lay,
I want a man that will call me honey,
Fol lol lol lol, fol lol lay."
3. Love, I'll be a Presbyterian,
Oh, dear me!
Then we'll be of one persuasion,
Oh, dear me!"
"I want none of your turncoat religion,
Fol lol lol lol lay,
I want a man that's a real good Christian,
Fol lol lol lol, fol lol lay."
4. "Must I go without one token?
Oh, dear me!
Then I'll die with my heart broken,
Oh, dear me!"
"Take thy cheer, my loving brother,
Fol lol lol lol lay,
Since you can't catch me-- go catch another,
Fol lol lol lol, fol lol lay."