The Michigan folklorist Ivan Walton,collected this song on Beaver Island in 1940, sung by Mrs. Herman Popp. Walton's tapes were at the Bentley Library (Michigan Historical Collections) at the University of Michigan when I worked there in the mid-to-late seventies. I was fortunate in being able to listen to them extensively. Now, they're at the Library of Congress. Here's the entry for "You're a Little Too Small" - "You're a Little Too Small"

And here's the text for that recording:

YOU'RE A LITTLE TOO SMALL

I'm one of those jolly young fellows you meet
I always enjoy a good time.
I pay up my share wherever I go,
I'm willing to spend my last dime.
But there's one great misfortune, though I'm not to blame,
Because I don't stretch and grow tall.
But I think it's a wicked abominable shame,
When they say I'm a little too small.

CHORUS:
You are a little too small, young man,
You never would answer at all.
You're young now, you know, and perhaps you may grow,
But at present you're a little too small.

One evening out walking by chance I did meet,
A lady, a schoolmate of mine.
Escorting her homeward, of course, I did treat,
I took her to a cafe to dine.
I asked if her escort some eve I might be
And if at her home I might call.
She says, "I'll ask Mom, but I really believe,
She'll think you're a little too small."

There lived another young girl in our town,
I loved her, I did, as my life.
One night on my knees to her I got down,
And I asked her if she'd be my wife.
She gave her consent, in my arms then she fell,
We were to be one in the fall.
But I'm single as yet and the reason I'll tell,
I was just a little too small.

A few days ago my rich uncle died,
Of course, I came in for my share,
And these were the words as I stood by his side,
"My boy, you're a young millionaire."
No end to the congratulations next day
And the ladies that on me did call,
But I said, "Girls, excuse me, I'm sorry to say,
You're just a little too tall.

FINAL CHORUS:
You are a little too tall, young girls,
You never would answer at all.
I'm young now, you know, and perhaps I may grow,
But at present you're a little too tall.


My friend Barry O'Neill issued a cassette tape of Michigan folk songs sometime in the seventies, which included "You're a Little Too Small" from Walton's recording. In his excellent notes accompanying the tape, Barry noted that Edith Fowke had collected a version of this song from O. J. Abbott, of Hull Quebec. O. J. Abbott was also the source for "By the Hush," the wonderful ballad of complaint from the American Civil War.

I might as well mention, I have also sung this song for years. My own source is the version from the Carolina Tar Heels, that Stewie sited above, but adding the last verse from the Beaver Island version. You can hear me singing it at www.reverbnation.com/marthaburns.