The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #60181   Message #2581182
Posted By: meself
04-Mar-09 - 01:06 PM
Thread Name: Lyric Deconstruction: Kelligrew's Soiree
Subject: RE: Lyric Deconstruction: Kelligrews Soiree
"Betsy Snook(s)"

I believe that in the phrase "I arrived at Betsy Snooks", "Snooks" would be properly rendered "Snooks'" (note apostrophe) - in other words, her name is Snooks, and it's her house. How do I know her name is "Snooks" rather than "Snook"? - come to think of it, I don't; it's just an assumption I've always made ...

And on the same basis, I take it that the "ye" is "yee" rather than "yuh", etc. I haven't often heard the song sung outside the family, but it seems to me that on the few recordings I have heard, it's always been pronounced "yee". And it does rhyme with "soiree" that way. Depending on how you pronounce "soiree" of course ...

(Thanks, gents, for the linguistic & etymological info.).