The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #48821   Message #1412169
Posted By: GUEST,Gary Morris garymmorris@yahoo.com
16-Feb-05 - 03:24 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Jenny Jenkins
Subject: Jenny Jenkins query
Hi folks,

I've puzzled over the lyrics of this song for awhile - the E.C. & Ona Ball version of it. As best I can determine, Ona is singing, e.g.,

I won't wear green, for it's shame to be seen
I'll buy me a folly-rolly tilly-tolly seek a double use a causa (?) roll, to bind me
Roll, Jenny Jenkins roll.

Is the "folly-rolly..." part a nonsense thing, like a children's game lyric? The message seems to be about female assertiveness (or perhaps fickleness), as Jenny rejects all the colors offered by her beau ("Will you wear green, my dear old, dear old, will you wear green, Jenny Jenkins?"). She *seems* to be saying she's got some other plan in mind, maybe that she's going to buy her own dress - but what do the words mean? Any insights anyone has would be greatly appreciated!