No Sir- Edna Ritchie (KY) 1961 REC J. Ritchie
[From the Folkways Recording: "Precious Memories" by Jean Ritchie, 1961. I've added the missing 2nd stanza. This is similar to Wakefield's 1881 printed arrangement. Jean had already recorded the complete version of Wakefield's "No Sir" text with Oscar Brand c. 1957.
R. Matteson 2017]
No Sir- sung by Jean Ritchie of Viper Kentucky in 1961 who learned from her sister Edna Ritchie who in turn got it from a friend at Lothair Kentucky.
Tell me why you are so cruel,
Tell me why you scorn me so?
Tell me why to all my questions,
You must always answer, "No."
CHORUS No sir, No sir, no sir, no sir;
No sir, no sir, no sir, No.
[My father was a Spanish Captain
And before he went to sea,
He told me to be sure and answer "No"
To all you said to me.
CHORUS]
If while walking in the garden,
Gathering flowers all wet with dew,
Tell me, would you be offended,
If I walk and talk with you?
CHORUS
If while walking in the garden,
I should ask you to be mine,
Tell me, would you to this question
Would you answer No this time?
CHORUS