Following from Songs Sung By Marina Russell Of Upwey, Dorset, here is one of Mrs. Russell's songs, taken from Frank Purslow's collection of songs from the Hammond/Gardiner mss., The Wanton Seed: a .midi of the tune goes to Alan of Australia's Mudcat Midi Site.
CATCH-ME-IF-YOU-CAN
1. 'Twas early, early all in the Spring
The small birds they did sweetly sing
So sweetly they were singing;
So sweetly they were singing.
2. As I walked forth down by a riverside
A pretty girl I chanced to spy
She was taking of the air-O!
She was taking of the air-O!
3. I said, "Fair maid, will you go along with me?
I'll show you what you never, never see
I'll show you shady bowers;
I'll show you shady bowers."
4. So this fair maid gave her consent
And along with me she straightway went
And soon he gained her favour;
And soon he gained her favour.
5. "So now you've had your will of me
And robbed me of my sweet liberty
Pray tell to me your name, Sir;
Pray tell to me your name, Sir."
6. "My name is Catch-Me-If-You-Can
And I'll marry you when I return
When I return from the wars O!
When I return from the wars O!"
7. When six long months were over and passed
The fair maid she grew thick round the waist
And she thought of shady bowers;
And she thought of shady bowers.
8. When nine long months were over and gone
This young maid bore a beautiful son
But then there was no father;
But then there was no father.
9. So she sent out a horse and man
"Go, catch this young man if you can.
Go, catch him and no other;
Go, catch him and no other."
10. They catched the rogue and bound him fast
They took this young man in at last
And robbed him of his pleasure;
And robbed him of his pleasure.
Notes: Tune: Hammond D.832. Mrs. Russell, , Dorset. Jan/Feb. 1907, with bar five embellished as per William Farnham below. Text: Hammond D.564. William Farnham, South Perrot, Dorset. June 1906, opening amended as per broadside. (Purslow)
Malcolm