Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...

Subject: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: Freemanj
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 02:29 PM

Hi

I am trying to find the title, lyrics and history for a folk song which my now ill sister sang for me in the early 70s. I have a fair quality recording which starts: Oh I wonder I never got married, uhhum married, aha married, such a beautiful creature am I...". I have not been able to find info on the song here or elsewhere on the Web. I could send the audio file if someone is interested.

Thanks for any help available!

Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: Amos
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 03:13 PM

I think the title is "A skimmer a dipper a ladle...", IIRC. I learned it long ago from the singing of (I think) Richard Dyer Bennett. These lyrics are from memory.

Oh I winder I never got married,
Hmm married, ah married.
Such a beautiful creature as I.

Oh, I'm willing to marry somebody,
Mmm, body, anybody,
__ __ ___ ___ (line forgotten)

With a skimmer, a dipper, a ladle,
Oh, ladle, and a cradle,
He sure shall have these when I die.

Oh, I wonder I never got married
Hmm married, ah, married
Such a beautiful creature as I.


There may be another verse, and I am drawing a complete blank on the closing line of verse 2.

Sorry I can't be more help.


A

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: Freemanj
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 04:54 PM

Amos

Thanks for the quick help! This gives me some leads to pursue.

Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: Susan of DT
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 08:05 PM

A possibly related song Wonder When I shall be Married

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 08:42 PM

Hmmmm. I can't find this in the Richard Dyer-Bennet recordings at Smithsonian Folkways. Anybody know of a recording?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 08:48 PM

I know it's on one of the Dyer-Bennet LPs I have; don't remember the title. Maybe I can find it and at least give the album name and maybe the Dyer-Bennet label name.

More's the pity, I don't have a workable LP turntable.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 09:09 PM

I think I have it!

If I'm right, the proper title of the song is The Old Maid, and it is to be found on Decca DLP 5046, a 10-inch 33 disk, called, appropriately enough, Richard Dyer-Bennett, Twentieth Century Minstrel.

I can't play it to be sure it's the right song, but I'd bet money on it.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 10:55 PM

I have the same record, Dave...and I think that's it. I 'can' play it, but I haven't recently.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 11:09 PM

I'll Not Marry at All [Me II-B44]

Gribi, Gerri. Womansong Collection, Gribi, CD (1996), trk# 21 (Old Maid's Song)
Karl and Harty. Karl & Harty with the Cumberland Ridge Runners, Old Homestead OHCS 137, LP (197?), trk# 9 [1936/07?] (Old Maid)
Kelley, Ada F.. Linscott, Eloise Hubbard (ed.) / Folk Songs of Old New England, Dover, Bk (1993/1939), p211 [1920-30s]
Lawsson, Agnes. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume III, Humorous & Play-Party ..., Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p 65/#364B [1927/03/14] (Old Maid's Song)
Maudlin, Annie Mae. Morris, Alton C. / Folksongs of Florida, Univ. Florida, Bk (1950), p156/# 80A [1934-39]
Morgan, Maggie. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume III, Humorous & Play-Party ..., Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p 65/#364C [1942/02/09] (Old Maid's Song)
Osteen, Thelma. Morris, Alton C. / Folksongs of Florida, Univ. Florida, Bk (1950), p157/# 80B [1934-39]
Ramsey, Obray. Obray Ramsey Sings Folksongs from the Three Laurels, Prestige International INT 13020, LP (196?), trk# B.01
Sharp, Clarence. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume III, Humorous & Play-Party ..., Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p 64/#364A [1924/07/24] (Old Maid's Song)
Sullivan, Mabel Conrad. Pound, Louise (ed.) / American Ballads and Songs, Scribner, Sof (1972/1922), p208/# 99 [1915]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: Freemanj
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 11:07 AM

All

I am very appreciative of the helpful and rapid responses to my post. Thanks so much for the help! I've had trouble finding a copy of The Old Maid on Decca DLP 5046, but will keep looking. So far, I am working on the list provided by Guest last night.

Best regards

Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: GUEST,Sarah R Newcomb
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 07:16 PM

I wonder I never got married, got married, got married
I wonder I never got married,
Such a beautiful creature as I.

I'm willing to marry somebody, mm-mbody, anybody,
Before I am taken away.


A pitcher, a dipper, a ladle, mm ladle, ah cradle.
He sure shall have these if I die.

I wonder I never got married, such a beautiful creature as I.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: GUEST,888
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 07:26 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RICHARD-DYER-BENNETT-10-DECCA-DLP-5046-DG-1949-NM-/250759699198

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 07:42 PM

Decca DL 79102

Decca DLP 5046

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 08:37 PM

http://www.inbetweennoise.com/sounds/trackdyermaid.mp3

Two stanzas at that link which I found at

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 08:40 PM

http://www.horntip.com/html/books_&_MSS/1980s/1984-1998_australian_folklore_society_journal_(PB)/31-40__1996-1998/index.htm


I'd also point out that Dyer-Bennet's name is often spelled with two t's at the end instead of just one. I think it has just one t.

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The last two posts took me about 10 tries to take, and then I tried breaking the post in two. Only thing I can figure is that the 'cat doesn't like a hotlink with an http address also in the same post.

FWIW

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh I wonder I never got married...
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Mar 23 - 07:44 PM

Thank you so much! My mother sang this to me she didn't know the verse about the ladle so we made up 'A tinker, a tailor a sailor, Somebody, anybody,A tinker a tailor a sailor, before the day that.I die. So greatvto see the original lyrics .