Spanish Merchant's Daughter- Stoneman (VA) 1928
[Recording by Stoneman Family, original issue Victor V-40206. "Vocal duet by Hattie and Ernest Stoneman with harmonica, violin, guitar." Recorded in Bristol, Tennessee on October 31, 1928.
This is similar to Waskefield's 1881 printed version of "No Sir" and has the chorus and the two "garden" stanza. The second and third stanzas are a folk adaptation unique to the "No Sir" versions.
R. Matteson 2017]
"The Spanish Merchant's Daughter" performed by The Stoneman Family; recorded on Oct. 31, 1928.
Father was a Spanish Merchant and before he went to sea,
Made me promise to say "No sir" to all you say to me.
No sir, no sir, no sir, no sir.
I know your father was against me.
Should he not return from sea,
And they say you have no mother,
Would you then say "No" to me?
No sir, no sir, no sir, no sir.
Yes, I know I have no mother,
Should father not return from sea,
Then you see I have a brother
Who would take good care of me.
No sir, no sir, no sir, no sir.
If we were walking in the garden,
Plucking roses wet with dew.
Would you be in any way offended
If I walked and talked with you?
No sir, no sir, no sir, no sir.
I know the world is very cruel,
If you have no one to care.
But I always will say no sir
Until from father I do hear.
No sir, no sir, no sir, no sir.
As we tarry in the garden
and I linger by your side,
Would you tell me I must leave you
and refuse to be my bride?
No sir, no sir, no sir, no sir.
No sir, no sir, no sir, no no!