Lyr Req: Mary Ann, She's after Me

Subject: Lyr Req: Mary Anne, she's after me
From: Flash Company
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 10:17 AM

I remember my Gran singing a chorus which went:-

Mary Anne she's after me,
Full of love she seems to be
My mother says 'It's plain to see she wants thee for her young man!'
Father said 'If this be true,
John my lad be thankful do,
There's one bigger fool in the world than you and thats Mary Anne!'

I think it probably had at least two verses, but I have no memory of them (I was only little!)
Anyone out there know it?

F.C

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Anne, she's after me
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 10:36 AM

There is a bit more in this thread.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Anne, she's after me
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:52 PM

It turns up as number 5391 in the Roud Folk Song Index. Only one example is listed so far: a set recorded by Mike Yates from George Fradley of Sudbury, Derbyshire, in 1984. It appears on the cassette tape One of the Best (Veteran VT 114): Veteran website.

The following is quoted from Mike Yates, The Other Songs, published at the Musical Traditions website:

"The splendid Derbyshire singer George Fradley was also heavily indebted to the Music Hall recordings. In his youth George had performed in a family troupe that toured the local villages and many of their songs clearly came from the Music Hall. His lovely comic song Mary Ann, She's After Me was recorded twice by George Bastow, firstly in 1911 (Columbia 1869) and then two years later, in 1913 (John Bull H-32)."

The song also seems to have been recorded by Albert Whelan, "The Australian Entertainer", who became successful in the music hall in Britain from the very early years of the 29th century, later moving into broadcasting and films (Yiddle on your Fiddle / Mary Ann She's after me Valk343). It appears from info in another thread here that he recorded Yiddle on the Fiddle in 1912.

Unfortunately, the person who posted in the thread Sorcha mentions failed to quote writer credits from the tape concerned. A lead of that kind would have been helpful.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Anne, she's after me
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:53 PM

"29th century" would seem a little premature. Whelan had a long career, but not quite that long.

Subject: Lyr Add: OUR MARY ANN (from Muckram Wakes)
From: Compton
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 06:51 PM

I took this from a Muckram Wakes LP "Warbles, Jangles and Reeds" (they were a great band in our parts ...some 25 years ago.!!)

OUR MARY ANN

Now I never thought much about females
'Till a couple of months ago
'Till I though I saw one of them looking at me.
My mother told me so.

That damsels name was Mary Ann
And she looked at me one day.
I told mother and mother told me
In a motherly kind of way.

Chorus

That Mary Ann, she's after me,
Full of love , she seems to be.
My mother says, It's as plain to see
That she wants me for her young man.
Father says, it that be true
John, my lad, be thankful do,
That there's one bigger fool than you,
And that's Mary Ann.

Well. I've often seen her looking at me,
And I don't know what to do,
And I can't help looking at her,
My mother told me so.

Last Sunday morning coming from church,
She says, I'll walk your way
Well we both started walking, I never says nowt,
I had a narrow escape, that day.

Chorus.

Well, there's many a jolly young chap like me,
He might be pleased to know.
What dangerous animals, some girls are,
My mother told me so.

We roams around like innocent lambs
And we does no harm, I'm sure.
Then along comes summat in frocks and in curls
And there's never no peace no more.

Chorus

Subject: Lyr Add: MARY ANNE (F W Leigh/G Bastow)
From: delphinium
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 08:14 PM

I also took the lyrics from the Muckram Wakes Warbles, Jangles and Reeds LP (1980, Highway Records) and I was going to post them but Compton got in first. I think I have a few corrections to some of the lines above, so I will post my transcription as well, along with notes from the Muckram Wakes album cover:

MARY ANNE (Leigh/ Bastow)

Learned by us from George Fradley of S.W. Derbyshire. Written by Fred W. Leigh and sung on the Music Halls by George Bastow, a combination better known for The Galloping Major.

Well I never thought much about females
Till a couple of months ago
When I thought I saw one of them noticing me
My mother told me so
That damsel's name is Mary Anne
And she looked at me one day
I told mother and mother told me
In a motherly kind of way, that …

(chorus)
Mary Anne she's after me
Full of love she seems to be
My mother says it is plain to see
That she wants me for her young man
Father says if that be true
John my lad be thankful do
That there's one bigger fool in the world than you
And that's Mary Anne.

Well I often sees her looking at me
And I don't know what to do
And I can't help looking at her looking at me
My mother told me so
Last Sunday morning coming from church
She says I'll walk your way
Well we both kept walking I never says nowt
I'd a narrow escape that day, 'cause …

Well there's many a jolly old chap like me
As might be pleased to know
What dangerous animals some girls is
My mother told me so
We roams around like innocent lambs
And we does no harm I'm sure
Then along comes sommat in frocks and in curls
And there's never no peace no more, 'cause …

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Anne, she's after me
From: Billy Weeks
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 07:54 AM

All that needs to be added to Delphinium's posting is that the publication date was 1911, the same year that George Bastow first recorded the song.   A lovely performance, by the way, and no doubt the ultimate source (er, I'm not sure about 'ultimate' in referring to the past) of all orally recovered versions.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Anne, she's after me
From: Flash Company
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 10:32 AM

Thanks for all above, I knew someone had recorded it, but forgot Muckram Wakes as a possible.
The Albert Whelan connection is interesting, that may be where Gran heard it. I remember Whelan was still performing after WW2, and remember his whistled signature tune, which i think was called 'Der Freulige Brudern'
Thanks again FC

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Anne, she's after me
From: GUEST,Ken Day
Date: 07 Jun 08 - 11:34 AM

Anyone know the date of The Albert Whelan Recording of Mary Ann She's After Me I Have It On a 8" Ariel Record No 1877   Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Anne, She's after Me
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 06:45 PM

Information from WorldCat.org:

Leigh, Fred W., and George Bastow. MARY ANN SHE'S AFTER ME. London: Francis, Day and Hunter, 1911. [musical score]