The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #71740   Message #1229088
Posted By: Joe Offer
19-Jul-04 - 01:40 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: The Quaker's Courtship
Subject: ADD Version: The Courting Song
Oh, well, MMario, Larry's supposed to know better by now. I suspected that's why you didn't post the lyrics. If this isn't the song he's looking for, Larry can start another thread and do it properly. But that's beside the point, because this is a fascinating song that has been mentioned before, but not covered. Randolph has four versions in Ozark Folksongs and every one of them is a gem. Here's version 362A:

The Courting Song
(sung by Miss Fanny Mulhollan, Pineville, Missouri; Dec. 4, 1923)

Madam, I have come a-courtin', hi-ho, hi-hum,
Wilt thou hear what I've to tell thee? Hi-ho, hi-hum.

CHORUS
Ting a ling ling ling ling ling ling
Ting a ling ling ling ling ling
Ting a ling ling ling ling ling ling
Ting a ling ling ling ling ling

I don't believe one word you've spoken, hi-ho, hi-hum,
Indeed your heart is easy broken, hi-ho, hi-hum.

Madam, I have no doubt of it, hi-ho, hi-hum.
Good fish in the sea as ever come out of it, hi-ho, hi-hum.

Well, since this is to be my life, hi-ho, hi-hum,
I have decided to be your wife, hi-ho, hi-hum.