Oh Dear, Oh- Ethel Findlater (Ork) c.1914 REC
[From School of Scottish Studies; two recordings one title Spanish Lady; also printed in Tocher: Tales, Songs, Tradition - Issues 5-8 - Page 166; 1972.
The version by Findlater introduces the "tarry trousers" found in several other versions of Spanish Lady/Madam. I have the version from Sam Henry.
R. Matteson 2017]
Oh Dear, Oh (Spanish Lady)- Sung by Ethel Findlater of Orkney. Learned about 1914 from her cousin Bella who sang a chorus after every two verses, though Ethel thinks even that is too often. Listen: http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/64119/3
1 Walking up Edinburgh city,
At the back of twelve o'clock at night,
There I spied a Spanish lady
Dressing herself with candlelight.
2 "Madam I have come to court you,
What you are I do not know;
Madam I have come to court you,
If your answer should be No."
(chorus) Oh, dear Oh, if I had a sailor,
Oh, dear Oh, if I had but one;
Oh, dear Oh, if I had a sailor,
With his tarry trousers on.
3 "Come sit down your hearty welcome,
Wither you call again or no;
Come sit down your hearty welcome,
If my should be no."
4 "Madam, I have gold and silver;
Madam, I have houses and land;
Madam, I have men and maidens,
And they all shall be at your command.
5 What care I for your gold and silver?
What care I for your houses and land?
What care I for your men and maidens,
All I want a handsome young man." .
(chorus) Oh, dear Oh, if I had a sailor,
Oh, dear Oh, if I had but one;
Oh, dear Oh, if I had a sailor,
With his tarry trousers on.
7. Madam you talk much of beauty
It is a flower that will soon decay;
For the fairest flower that blooms in summer,
When winter comes it fades away."
(chorus)
8 "Don't you see yon lugger coming,
With the long boat at the stern;
It's him that's got my heart a-keeping,
I wish he had my body too."
(chorus)
9 "My two eyes are dim with weeping,
Oh, dear O, what shall I do;
It's him that's got my heart a-keeping,
I wish he had my body too."
Chorus (2x)