No John No!- James Beale (Kent) 1908 Sharp
[From: Cecil Sharp Manuscript Collection (at Clare College, Cambridge) (CJS2/9/1777). This version has the first two stanzas of "Madam" as its opening.
R. Matteson 2017]
No John No! sung by Jas [James] Beale (72) of Warehorne, Kent on September 23. 1908. Collector: Cecil J. Sharp.
On yonder's hill there lives a maiden
Who she is I do not know
But I'll go and court her for her beauty
Whether she answers me yes or no
CHORUS: No John no, no John, no John, no John, no.
Madam I am come for to court you
Whether your favour I can gain
Come and set yourself down alongside of me
Fear I should never see you again
CHORUS: No John no, no John, no John, no John, no.
Madam may I tie up your garter
May I tie it above your knee
And if by chance my hand should slip a little farther
Should you think it amiss of me?
CHORUS: No John no, no John, no John, no John, no.
Madam and I went to bed together
There we lied till the cocks did crow
I [rifled] her charm and quit her chamber
Still she answered it was no
CHORUS: No John no, no John, no John, no John, no.
My husband he was a Spanish Captain
He went to sea about 3 [three] months ago
And the very last time we kissed and parted
He always told me to answer no
CHORUS: No John no, no John, no John, no John, no.