| Version 1 Play/Download Music File Mark Johnson |
|
|
|
|
| A song with this theme, The Dumb Lady, Or, No no not I, I'le answer, was printed on a broadside circa 1672-84. It also appears in an earlier manuscript (circa 1635-40) but the lyrics are unreadable due to waterstains. It was published as Consent at Last in Thomas D'Urfey's Wit and Mirth or Pills to Purge Melancholy in 1700. It is also known as The Spanish Merchant's Daughter. |
On yonder hill there stands a creature,
Who she is I do not know I will court her for her beauty, She must answer yes or no Oh no John, No John, No John, No! On her bosom are bunches of posies, On her breast where flowers grow If I should chance to touch that posy, She must answer yes or no Oh no John, No John, No John, No! Madam I am come for to court you, If your favor I can gain If you will but entertain me, Perhaps then I might come again Oh no John, No John, No John, No! My husband was a Spanish captain, Went to sea a month ago The very last time we kissed and parted, Bid me always answer no. Oh no John, No John, No John, No! Madam in your face is beauty, In your bosom flowers grow In your bedroom there is pleasure, Shall I view it, yes or no Oh no John, No John, No John, No! Madam shall I tie your garter, Tie it a little above your knee If my hand should slip a little farther, Would you think it amiss of me Oh no John, No John, No John, No! My love and I went to bed together, There we lay till cocks did crow; Unclose your arms my dearest jewel, Unclose your arms and let me go Oh no John, No John, No John, No! |
Variants at this site:
|
|
| From Folk Songs of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales See Bibliography for full information. And Bruce Olsen's Roots of Folk Website |
|