Madam, I'm a Darling- Frank Harte (Kerry) 1975
[Also titled "Chester City." From the 1975 LP recording "Frank Harte: . . . and Listen To My Song." It also appears in "Songs of Dublin" edited by Frank Harte in 1978. His notes follow.
The standard two opening stanzas show a wide degree of variation here. This is also mixed with a variation of the "Oh No John" garter stanza
R. Matteson 2017]
MADAM I'M A DARLING ? This is another version of the type of song similar to the Spanish Lady. I have no idea of its origin or of the reference in the first line to "Chester City". I heard the song at a session in Kerry where it is Rabelaisian humour was much to the delight of the locals. I am sure that if this song had been collected in Victorian times it would have been stripped of its honest humour to suit the taste of the drawing room, as has been done with the Spanish Lady and so many of the English and Scottish ballads. I give it to you as I heard and enjoyed it. Another version called "As I strayed Through Dublin City" is very similar to this song.
Madam, I'm a Darling (Chester City)- sung by Frank Harte, 1975
As I came down to Chester City,
In the dark hour late at night
Who should I meet but a fair young maiden
Washing her clothes by the broad moon light
Chorus: Madam I'm a darling a-di-ro-didero,
Madam I'm a darling a-di-ro-dee.
First she washed them, then she squeezed them
Then she hung them up to dry
Then she folded up her arms
Saying what a nice young girl am I!
Going to the well for a pail of water
Bringing it home for to make the tea
She fell over, I fell under
All the game was above the knee
Madam I will tie your garter,
I'll tie it above the knee
If you like, I'll tie it up farther
Madam I'm a darling a di-ro-dee
Madam you have gold and silver
Madam, you have tracts of land
Madam you ships on the ocean
All you need is a nice young man!