Hi,

The Quaker's were a sect founded in England by George Fox about 1650. Members of the sect were called Quakers because they were said to "quake at the name of the Lord." Their belief was not based on any previous organized religion but they believed in pure Christian principles and on developing the spiritual inner light that "lighteneth every man that cometh into the world." As Jesus called his followers "friends" the Quakers sect became known as the Religious Society of Friends.

Fox himself came to America several times and despite early persecution the Quakers were firmly established in Jersey, Rhode Island and by Quaker William Penn in Pennsylvania by the later part of the 1600s.

In the early years of the movement "Quaker" was a term used by outsiders to convey contempt. It appears that this is the stereotypical image portrayed in the "Madam, I have Come to Court You" songs of early America. The Quaker in the song is a older man doting on a young attractive maid.

This is the only extant printed "Quaker" version titled "The Quaker's Courtship." It was arranged by George Kanski and published in 1878 in New York by William A. Pond Co. It also has the full 10 stanzas although the stanzas are doubled here:

"The Quaker's Courtship."

1. (He) Daddy sent me here a courting
Oh! Oh! Oh!
I'm in earnest, I'm not sporting
Oh! Oh! Oh!
(She) You sit there and court the fire,
Teedling tee, tee, teedling ti,
To be let alone is my desire,
Teedling tee, tee, teedling ti.

2. (He) I've a ring worth twenty shilling
Oh! Oh! Oh!
Thou can'st have it if thou'st willing,
Oh! Oh! Oh!
(She) I want none of your rings and money
Teedling tee, tee, teedling ti,
I want a man to call me honey,
Teedling tee, tee, teedling ti.

3. (He) Lady thou art tall and slender,
Oh! Oh! Oh!
And I know thy heart is tender
Oh! Oh! Oh!
(She) Sir, I think you are a flatt'rer,
Teedling tee, tee, teedling ti,
And I cannot marry a Quaker,
Teedling tee, tee, teedling ti.

4. (He) Must I give up my religion,
Oh! Oh! Oh!
Must I become a Presbyterian?
Oh! Oh! Oh!
(She) Cheer up, cheer up, darling brother
Teedling tee, tee, teedling ti,
If you can't catch one fish go catch another,
Teedling tee, tee, teedling ti.

5. Must I leave without one token,
Oh! Oh! Oh!
Must I leave with my heart broken?
Oh! Oh! Oh!
(She) You go home and tell your daddy,
Teedling tee, tee, teedling ti,
That you could not get me ready,
Teedling tee, tee, teedling ti.
* * * *

Richie