Hi Rinky Dum- Fish (NH) 1940 Warner/Flanders
[From Country Dance and Song, No. 9, 1978. Also Warner Traditional American Folk Songs and Flanders recording Track 20a : Hi Rinky Dum (Seventeen Come Sunday) - voice performance by Lena Bourne Fish at E Jaffrey (Nh.). Classification #: LAO17. Dated 11-16-1940.
Warner's version is missing the 2nd stanza-- he points out this is related to "The Milkmaid," a different song with a similar opening. It is a composite of both songs.
R. Matteson 2018]
Hi Rinky Dum- as sung by Grammy Fish of New Hampshire in 1940.
As I was walking down the pike
One summer's morning early,
I met a charming blue-eyed lass
With her hair all crisp and curly.
CHORUS: Hi rinky dum, hi rinky dum,
Rinky, dinky, hi down.
Her dress was blue her shoes were new.
With buckles shining brightly.
Her eyes were bright as the stars above.
That shine in the heavens brightly.
Where are you going my pretty maid
My little blue-eyed daisy?
I am not going very far
For really I am lazy.
I'm in love with you my pretty maid
What is your age my honey?
She replied with a bewitching smile
I'll be seventeen next Sunday.
Are you not tired of the single life
Will you be the wife of Sammy?
She answered me regretfully
I cannot leave my mammy.
Yet I should like to be your wife
For you are so good looking
But I will never wash your shirts
Or never do your cooking
Then you shall never be my wife
For you've not learned life's lesson
I never asked to be your wife
'Twas you that popped the question.