Oh No John- composite (Som) 1911 Sharp
[Taken from several traditional versions collected by Sharp, the first two stanzas are from William Woolsey in 1907. Sharp compares the melody to Billy Taylor and relates that the theme is similar to Keys of Heaven, another courting song.
Sharp's composite version of "O No, John" was published in Folk Songs from Somerset in 1911. It was republished in One Hundred English Folksongs (1916) pp.154-155 with a different end stanza:
Then I will stay with you forever,
If you will not be unkind;
Madam, I have vowed to love you,
Would you have me change my mind?
It was again published in Novello's School Songs and in Vol. 2 of the Selected Edition of English Folk Songs in 1921. Sharp's popular arrangement was reprinted many times and sung with great acclaim by the Fuller Sisters from Portsmouth, England in their America tours. "Oh No, John" was recorded by Paul Robeson, African-American actor and singer in the 1950s. It was also a popular sixties revival song appearing in "Song Fest" (1964) and was in the repertoire of Canadian folk singer Oscar Brand (1920-2016) whose recording is on youtube.
R. Matteson 2017]
Oh No John (first two stanzas from from William Wooley of Bincombe in 1907, composite of 4 versions)
On yonder hill there stands a creature,
Who she is I do not know.
I'll go and court her for her beauty;
She must answer Yes or No.
O No John! No John! No John! No!
My father was a Spanish captain -
Went to sea a month ago,
First he kissed me, then he left me -
Bid me always answer No.
O No John! No John! No John! No!
O Madam in your face is beauty,
On your lips red roses grow,
Will you take me for your lover?
Madam, answer Yes or No.
O No John! No John! No John! No!
0 Madam, I will give you jewels,
I will make you rich and free,
1 will give you silken dresses;
Madam, will you marry me?
Oh No, John! No John! No, John! No!
O Madam since you are so cruel,
And that you do scorn me so,
If I may not be your lover,
Madam, will you let me go?
O No John! No John! No John! No!
O hark! I hear the church bells ringing,
Will you come to be my wife?
Or dear Madam, have you settled
To live single all your life?
O No John! No John! No John! No!