Kitty O'Noory- Madison (MI) 1935 Gardner
KITTY O'NOORY- Ballads and Songs of Southern Michigan 1939 w/music [to be added]
Kittredge (JAFL, XXXV, 387, note) observes that "Katy Mory" in fifteen stanzas, the last two quite free in their nature, occurs in an American broadside of about 1830. For text and references see JAFL, XXXV, 385-387. See also Eddy, No. 6; Owens, JAFL, XLIX, 232-233; Sharp, II, 119-121; and Shoemaker, pp. 130-132. The ballad is probably a modern version of "The Baffled Knight" (Child, No. 112). The present version was sung in 1935 by Mr. Frank Madison, Grattan Center.
1. Come gentlemen and ladies all,
Come listen to my story.
I'll tell you how I formed a plan
O to ruin young Kitty O'Noory.
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-a-a-a,
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-o.
2. I went down to her father's house,
Just like some honest fellow;
I told her that the plums were ripe,
And a-getting very mellow.
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-a-a-a,
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-o.
3 I told her that my sister Sal
Was down in yonders bower,
And that she wanted her to come
For to spend one half an hour.
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-a-a-a,
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-o.
4 As we was a-walking along the road,
Along the road together,
I told her that my sister Sal
Knew nothing of this matter.
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-a-a-a,
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-o.
5 She squeezed my hand and seemed quite pleased,
"But this one thing more I fear, sir,
My father he is a-cuttmg grass,
And I fear he'll come this way, sir.
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-a-a-a,
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-o.
6 "But if you will just climb that tree
Until he passes by, sir,
Tis then we'll go and pick the plums,
And there we'll sport and play, sir."
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-a-a-a,
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-o.
7 I climbed the tree Katie pointed me,
Not being the least offended;
O Kate she stood and winked at me,
O to see how high I ascended.
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-a-a-a,
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-o.
8 "Your ugly looks I do despise;
You look just like some owl, sir.
You can eat the plums and suck the stones;
O you're welcome to your fun, sir."
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-a-a-a,
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-o.
9 Then Kate she heeled her across the plains
As if she was distracted.
I cursed, I swore, my shirt I tore
To see how Kitty had acted.
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-a-a-a,
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-o.
10. But when I drew my thoughts within,
Kate's virtue I recommended;
I went and made a wife of her,
And now my troubles are ended.
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-a-a-a,
Ri-too-roddle-ling-i-o.
(Two stanzas are omitted.)