The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #35677   Message #4221782
Posted By: Lighter
29-Apr-25 - 10:52 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: A Gob is a Slob, Wherever He May Be
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Gob is a Slob, Wherever He May Be
Collected by Samuel Pepys, ca1650-ca1700:

            THE KIND MISTRESS,
                  OR, A
      Good turn done at a time of need.

                
To an Excellent new Tune. Licensed according to Order.

AS I was walking along the Street,
      And a wondering what I could see,
I met with a Lass that was handsome & neat
      as an honest loving woman should be.


I asked her to go and drink,
      and a wondering what she would do,
She answered me with a private wink,
      as an honest loving woman should do.

I went and gave her a bottle of Sack,
      and a wondering, etc.
And she was ready to lye on her back,
      as an honest, etc.

Then I sat her upon the bed,
      and a wondering, etc.
She promis'd me her Maiden-head,
      as an honest, etc.

Then her Petticoats I up did lift
      and a wondering, etc.
And she her self pull'd up her shift,
      as an honest, etc.

When the spot of Love I had spy'd,
      and a wondering, etc.
Come there if thou lovest me Lad she cryd
      as an honest, etc.

Then I flung my Arms about her neck,
      and a wondering, etc.
She hug'd me as if I had been her Mate,
      as an honest, etc.

I gave her a kiss as I laid her down,
      and a wondering, etc.
She gave me Kisses Two for One,
      as an honest, etc.

When I had enjoy'd my hearts delight
      and a wondering, etc.
She beg'd me to stay with her al Night,
      as an honest, etc.

To bed with her I went with speed,
      and a wondering, etc.
She helpt me still at a time of need,
      as an honest, etc.

Then I good folks did what you know,
      and a wondering, etc.
In troth she did the same thing too,
      as an honest, etc.

The truth she then began to dec[l]are,                     
      and a wondering what she would do,
She'd wed an old man but she wanted aneihr      [sic]
      which no honest loving woman should do.

"Aneiher" looks like a late survival of probably regional Middle English forms, which according to Oxford include "a noyer," "a-noyer," 'a-noyir," and "a noyr."   

More interestingly, the song is from the man's point of view, and the woman is entirely willing. Her dissatisfaction with her elderly husband abilities is also unique to this version.