From Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads, 2806 c.16(172) and Harding B 11(3776).

SHY! SHY!! DREADFULLY SHY!
------------------------------------
T. Pearson, Printer,
4 & 6. Chadderton St., Oldham Road,
Manchester
------------------------------------
Sung by George Leybourne.
Music at Hopwood and Crew's, London.
[between 1850 and 1899]

Had I been a monk or a hermit that dwelt
In a cave where the world could not see,
I then might be quiet, collected, and cool;
But fate has not will'd it to be.
I'm thrown on the world with its troubles and trials.
To avoid them I ev'ry day try.
I'm nervous, fidgety, very reserved.
In fact, I'm most awfully shy.
I can't look a girl in the face but I blush,
For I feel most awfully shy.

CHORUS: Shy, shy, shy, shy,
Oh! I'm shy—dreadfully shy.
Shy, shy, shy, shy,
I can't pass a stay shop, because I'm so shy.

Some people go to the theatre each night
To see actresses dress'd "comme il faut,"
But I never will cast my eyes on the stage,
Unless the footlights they're put low.
There's the ballet girls too, so graceful to view.
To see them is stretched ev'ry eye.
To some this is good, but 'tis not to me,
For I feel most awfully shy.
Ballet girls' movements are all very well,
But I feel so wretchedly shy.

CHORUS: Shy, shy, shy, shy,
Oh! I'm shy—dreadfully shy.
Shy, shy, shy, shy,
I would if I could, but I can't, I'm so shy.

For all I'm so shy, I once fell in love;
To my sweetheart no question could pop;
For hours I would sit by my loved one and say
Nothing! and then I would stop.
She put the question. I blushing said "yes,"
Got married, felt I should die;
To think of the future, tears came to my eyes.
I felt so terribly shy.
Yes, to think of the future, tears came to my eyes,
For I felt so uncommonly shy.

CHORUS: Shy, shy, shy, shy,
Oh! I'm shy—dreadfully shy.
Shy, shy, shy, shy,
When I put on the ring, I was awfully shy.