Origins: You're Just a Little too Small

Subject: RE: Origins: You're Just a Little too Small
From: Felipa
Date: 24 Feb 17 - 10:11 AM

the late Frankie Roddy, a dance teacher in Derry, N Ireland, used to sing this song. He was of quite short stature, so it seemed fitting. I wish now I had asked him where he learned it, as all the references in this thread are to North America. Frank Ryan also lives in Ireland, so I ask him where he came across the song.

A large number of migrants from Aranmore Island, Co Donegal, Ireland settled in Beaver Island in the 19th century.

Subject: RE: Origins: You're Just a Little too Small
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Feb 17 - 12:41 PM

Does anyone have the guitar chords for that song

Subject: RE: Origins: You're Just a Little too Small
From: GUEST
Date: 01 May 12 - 09:07 AM

I just listened to the version on youtube (Thanks, Ryan). It's quite similar to the tune I've been singing for 40 years.

Subject: RE: Origins: You're Just a Little too Small
From: GUEST
Date: 01 May 12 - 08:59 AM

Suzanne Mealey

I grew up in northern New Brunswick in the mid '50s and some of my earliest memories are of Mom playing the piano and singing this song. She had it written in an old scribbler but there was no indication of an original singer and we never knew where it came from. Over the years I've tried to find it but nobody knew it except my family.

Thanks to Ryan I now recall the words to the second verse.

Subject: ADD Version: You're a Little Too Small
From: Martha Burns
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 11:18 PM

The Michigan folklorist Ivan Walton,collected this song on Beaver Island in 1940, sung by Mrs. Herman Popp. Walton's tapes were at the Bentley Library (Michigan Historical Collections) at the University of Michigan when I worked there in the mid-to-late seventies. I was fortunate in being able to listen to them extensively. Now, they're at the Library of Congress. Here's the entry for "You're a Little Too Small" - "You're a Little Too Small"

And here's the text for that recording:

YOU'RE A LITTLE TOO SMALL

I'm one of those jolly young fellows you meet
I always enjoy a good time.
I pay up my share wherever I go,
I'm willing to spend my last dime.
But there's one great misfortune, though I'm not to blame,
Because I don't stretch and grow tall.
But I think it's a wicked abominable shame,
When they say I'm a little too small.

CHORUS:
You are a little too small, young man,
You never would answer at all.
You're young now, you know, and perhaps you may grow,
But at present you're a little too small.

One evening out walking by chance I did meet,
A lady, a schoolmate of mine.
Escorting her homeward, of course, I did treat,
I took her to a cafe to dine.
I asked if her escort some eve I might be
And if at her home I might call.
She says, "I'll ask Mom, but I really believe,
She'll think you're a little too small."

There lived another young girl in our town,
I loved her, I did, as my life.
One night on my knees to her I got down,
And I asked her if she'd be my wife.
She gave her consent, in my arms then she fell,
We were to be one in the fall.
But I'm single as yet and the reason I'll tell,
I was just a little too small.

A few days ago my rich uncle died,
Of course, I came in for my share,
And these were the words as I stood by his side,
"My boy, you're a young millionaire."
No end to the congratulations next day
And the ladies that on me did call,
But I said, "Girls, excuse me, I'm sorry to say,
You're just a little too tall.

FINAL CHORUS:
You are a little too tall, young girls,
You never would answer at all.
I'm young now, you know, and perhaps I may grow,
But at present you're a little too tall.


My friend Barry O'Neill issued a cassette tape of Michigan folk songs sometime in the seventies, which included "You're a Little Too Small" from Walton's recording. In his excellent notes accompanying the tape, Barry noted that Edith Fowke had collected a version of this song from O. J. Abbott, of Hull Quebec. O. J. Abbott was also the source for "By the Hush," the wonderful ballad of complaint from the American Civil War.

I might as well mention, I have also sung this song for years. My own source is the version from the Carolina Tar Heels, that Stewie sited above, but adding the last verse from the Beaver Island version. You can hear me singing it at www.reverbnation.com/marthaburns.

Subject: RE: Origins: You're Just a Little too Small
From: Stewie
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 07:32 PM

Yeah, I consulted Meade and scoured my collection looking for some info that might be of use to you re its origins because I recalled hearing the song. Obviously, I need not have bothered.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Origins: You're Just a Little too Small Tune
From: GUEST,Ryan
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 01:49 PM

Just finished scouring my collection, and found it on George Westcott's Cassette, "Yesterday's Memories". I uploaded it in full and can be found via direct link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFblEMwvIk0

It's the second song and it starts at 3:30.

Subject: RE: Origins: You're Just a Little too Small
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 09:47 AM

Thanks, Ryan. I like it.

Subject: RE: Origins: You're Just a Little too Small
From: Stewie
Date: 03 Apr 12 - 09:32 PM

A version of this was recorded by the Carolina Tar Heels (vocal by Tom Ashley) in 1928. Meade et alia cite its origins as 'Al Haynes w&m 1887' - printed in Wehman's 'Collection of Songs #25 Jan 1890'. The Tar Heels recording has the substance of the first 3 stanzas above, but in different words - the final stanza is absent. The Tar Heels chorus is:

You're a little too small, young man
Won't answer at all, young man
You're young yet you know perhaps you may grow
At present you're a little too small

--Stewie.

Subject: Add Version: You're Just a Little Too Small
From: GUEST,Ryan
Date: 03 Apr 12 - 03:14 PM

Another Newfoundland song. Anyone know origins? I stumbled across the typewritten Lyrics for it in a basement. I'll look through some of the Archives I have and see if It's present, and if so I shall Upload it to Youtube.


YOU'RE JUST A LITTLE TOO SMALL

Oh I'm happy-go-lucky wherever I go,
And I spend all the money I earn.
The reason I'm happy wherever I go
is Because I can spend my last dime.
The reason I know that I'm not for to blame,
Because I don't stretch and grow tall,
The Reason I'm happy wherever I go is
Because I'm a little too small.

I was walking the street one evening quite late,
Met a lady schoolmate of mine.
And on her way home as we usually did,
We called at a Restaurant to dine.
I asked her if I could see her again,
or if at her home I might call,
She said "I'll tell ma, but I really believe,
You're just a little too small."

You're just a little too small young man,
You never could answer at all,
You're young I know, and perhaps you will grow,
But at present you're a little too small.

There was a young lady who lived in this town,
And I loved her as Dear as my life,
And like a darned fool I got down on my knees,
And asked her to be my wife.
She gave her consent as to linger and wait,
We were to be wed in the fall.
But when her old daddy, the news he did hear,
"My lad you're a little too small."

You're just a little too small young man,
You never could answer at all,
You're young I know, and perhaps you will grow,
But at present you're a little too small.

Well a short time ago my rich uncle died,
And I knew I'd be in for his share.
The last words he said as I stood by his bed,
"Young man you're a young millionaire."
Oh now to congratulate, Next day at home,
The ladies around me did call,
I said to the girls, you must now excuse,
You're just a little too tall.

You're just a little too Tall young girls,
You never could answer at all,
I'm young I know, and perhaps I will grow,
But at present you're a little too Tall.