Hi,

I'm nearly through with "Courting Case" although I've not carefully examined all the versions. Several words and phrases (measurements of money in "pounds" and "grog shop," a place where the wooer drinks, "rectified" etc.) indicated either an early America origin or a British origin. So far no British versions or antecedents have been found. It's origin is a mystery much as the two main titles, "Courting Case" and "Courting Cage" are mondegreens for unknown words from the original missing print.

Here are the two versions:

THE COURTING CASE. Sung by Mrs. Fanny Coffery at White Rock, Nelso Co., Va., May 8th 1918.

O madam, I am a courting case,
For you I've lain in woon,
For you I'd give up all my store,
If it was ten thousand pounds. (bis)

O yes, you are a courting case
Like many I have seen,
But if you think you're courting me,
I think you're very green.

O madam, I've a very fine farm,
Full sixty acres wide,
And it shall be at your command
If you will be my bride.

O yes, you have a very fine farm
And a piece of woods to boot,
But when I get in that fine farm
I'll hang you on a root.

O madam, I've a very fine house
And it's plastered white inside,
And it shall be at your command
If you will be my bride.

O yes, you have a very fine house
And it's plastered white inside,
But when I get in that fine house
I'll soon shut you outside.

O madam, you're a silly jade
And very hard to please;
When you get old and the weather gets cold
I hope to God you'll freeze.

While I am young with a flattering tongue
I keep myself from harm.
When I get old and the weather gets cold
My clothes will keep me warm.

* * * *

The other title is Randolph's "The Courting Cage" which he collected in Missouri in 1928 but was learned about 1865. Here's the text:

Madam I have a courtin' cage
It stands in yonder town,
And my estate I'll give to you,
If it be ten thousand pounds,
If it be ten thousand pounds.

I know you have a courtin' cage
It stands in yonder town,
And your estate I do not want,
If it be ten thousand pounds,
If it be ten thousand pounds.

O madam, I've a very fine house
Just newly erectified,
And you shall have it at your command
Whenever you'll be my bride
Whenever you'll be my bride.

I know you have a very fine house
Likewise a fine yard,
But who would stay at home with me,
When you're out playing cards
When you're out playing cards.

Madam, I do not do that way,
I do not think it right.
If you'll consent to marry me
I'll stay home every night
I'll stay home every night.

Madam, I have a very fine horse,
He paces like the tide,
An' you may have him at your command,
Whenever you'll be my bride,
Whenever you'll be my bride.

I know you have a very fine horse,
He stands in yonder barn,
His master likes a glass of wine,
I fear the horse might learn,
I fear the horse might learn.

Madam, I have a very fine farm,
Full sixty acres wide,
An' you may have it at your command,
Whenever you'll be my bride,
Whenever you'll be my bride.

I know you have a very fine farm,
A pasture at the foot,
If you'll get me you'll turn me out,
I know a hog will root,
I know a hog will root.

Madam, I think you're a silly jade
Perhaps too hard to please;
When you git old an' chill with cold,
I swear I hope you'll freeze,
I swear I hope you'll freeze.

Your sassy wishes I disregard,
You caint do me no harm
When I git old an' chill with cold,
It won't be you that'll keep me warm,
It won't be you that'll keep me warm!

Randolph, of course, knew of Sharp's versions titled "Courting Case" published in the 1932 edition of EFSSA. His version was first printed by Scarborough in 1938. It's important to note that these two versions are the exception and that "Courting Case" and "Courting Cage" are not normally found in the standard versions.

* * * *

Anyone that can find a British antecedent or version will be the first person to do so. Any suggestions about what "Courting Case" and "Courting Cage" are?

I think this is from an early (about late 1700s) print that is missing. Can anyone speculate about its origin or date?

TY

Richie