Recordings & Info 8A. Oh No John-- No Sir; Spanish Lady
[early print version US?-- Lady's, why doth Love torment you. Consent at last. [Song.] <[Engraved by] Caulfield.> Unknown Binding – 1 Jan 1785]
No, John, No
DESCRIPTION: The man asks the girl if she will marry. She informs him that her father has told her to answer all men's questions "No." After several exchanges, he asks something like "Do you refuse to marry me? Do you want me to leave?" She, of course, answers "No."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1904 (Sharp)
KEYWORDS: courting questions rejection
FOUND IN: US(Ap,MW,So) Britain(England(South))
REFERENCES (11 citations):
Randolph 385, "No Sir! No Sir!" (1 text, 1 tune)
Eddy 48, "No, Sir" (1 text, 1 tune)
Kennedy 138, "No Sir" (1 text, 1 tune)
BrownIII 14, "No, Sir" (2 texts plus mention of 2 more)
Wyman-Brockway II, p. 98, "'No, Sir, No!'" (1 text, 1 tune)
Fuson, p. 81, "No, Sir; No" (1 text)
Sharp-100E 68, "O No, John!" (1 text, 1 tune)
Lomax-FSNA 161, "Uh-Uh, No" (1 text, 1 tune, probably with more than a little of "Wheel of Fortune" mixed in)
Silber-FSWB, p. 345, "No John" (1 text)
BBI, ZN2244, "Pretty Betty, now come to me" (?)
DT, ONOJOHN*
Roud #146
RECORDINGS:
Ron & Bob Copper, "No, John, No" (on FSB1)
Sam Larner, "No Sir, No Sir" (on SLarner02)
Pete Seeger, "No Sir No" (on PeteSeeger14)
Stoneman Family, "The Spanish Merchant's Daughter" (Victor V-40206, 1928; on AAFM3)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Keys of Canterbury"
cf. "Wheel of Fortune (Dublin City, Spanish Lady)"
cf. "The Nonsense of Men" (theme)
---------------------------
No Sir, No [Me II-B38]
Rt - Mountaineer's Courtship ; Oh No, John(, No) ; On Yonder Hill There Stands a Lady
Bishop, Emily. Kennedy, Peter (ed.) / Folksongs of Britain and Ireland, Oak, Sof (1984/1975), #138, p315 [1952] (No Sir!)
Brand, Oscar; and Jean Ritchie. O Love Is Teasin', Elektra 60402-1-U, LP (1957), trk# 3.10
Brown, Mary. Korson, George (ed.) / Pennsylvania Songs and Legends, Univ. of Penna., Bk (1949), p 50 [1929] (Oh, No, No, Sir, No)
Daley, Susie Evans. Moore, Ethel & Chauncey (ed.) / Ballads and Folk Songs of the Southwest, Univ. of Okla, Bk (1964), p217/#102 [1930s] (Scottish Merchant's Daughter)
Herren, Ruth Burton. Solomon, Jack & Olivia (eds.) / Sweet Bunch of Daisies, Colonial Press, Bk (1991), p 89 [1975ca]
McDermott's Handy. Come Take the Byroads, Pineland PR 9022085, LP (1983), trk# A.01
Morgan, Maggie. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume III, Humorous & Play-Party ..., Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p104/#385 [1942/02/09] (No Sir! No Sir)
Ritchie, Jean; and Oscar Brand. Courtin's a Pleasure and Other Folk Songs of the Southern App..., Elektra EKL 122, LP (1957), trk# A.10
Ritchie, Jean. Precious Memories, Folkways FA 2427, LP (1962), trk# A.06
Seeger, Peggy. Seeger, Peggy / Folk Songs of Peggy Seeger, Oak, Sof (1964), p78 (Uh-Uh, No)
Stoneman Family. Anthology of American Folk Music, Smithsonian/Folkways SFW 40090, CD( (1997), trk# 65 [1928/10/31] (Spanish Merchant's Daughter)
Sutton, Lannie/Lanis F.. Lomax, Alan / Folk Songs of North America, Doubleday Dolphin, Sof (1975/1960), p314/#161 (Uh-Uh, No)
-------------
Oh No, John(, No) [Me II-B38]
Rt - No Sir, No ; Wheel of Fortune
Leisy, James / Songs for Pickin' and Singin', Gold Medal Books, sof (1962), p 86
Shekerjian, Haig and Regina (eds.) / Book of Ballads, Songs and Snatches, Harper, sof (1966), p 56
Best, Dick & Beth (eds.) / New Song Fest Deluxe, Hansen, Sof (1971/1948), p 41
Blood, Peter; and Annie Patterson (eds.) / Rise Up Singing, Sing Out, Sof (1992/1989), p126
Leisy, James F. (ed.) / Folk Song Abecedary, Bonanza, Bk (1966), p246
Herder, Ronald (ed.) / 500 Best-Loved Song Lyrics, Dover, Sof (1998), p269
Sharp, Cecil J. / One Hundred English Folksongs, Dover, Sof (1975/1916), p154/# 68 (O No, John)
Boles, Emma. National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest & Folk Music Festival. 1964, NOTFC 64, CD (1964), trk# 21
Copper, Bob and Ron. Folk Songs of Britain, Vol 1. Songs of Courtship, Caedmon TC 1142, LP (1961), trk# B.09 [1951ca]
Curry, Donna. Gently Johnny, My Jingalo, Klavier KS-509, LP (1972), trk# A.04
Curry, Donna. Fertility Song Lady, ConTempo DC-1, LP (1964), trk# A.03 (O No, John)
Devlin, Jennie Hess. Newman, Katharine D. / Never Without a Song, U. Illinois, Sof (1995), p139 [1937ca]
Fuller Sisters. Shay, Frank (ed.) / My Pious Friends and Drunken Companions and More ..., Dover, Sof (1961/1927), p154 [1920s?]
McClellan, Mrs. C. S.. Morris, Alton C. / Folksongs of Florida, Univ. Florida, Sof (1990/1950), p358/#191 [1934-39] (Yes Or No)
Morley, William. Reeves, James (ed.) / Idiom of the People, Norton, Sof (1958), p162/# 68 [1907]
Okun, Milt; and Ellen Stekert. Traditional American Love Songs, Riverside RLP 12-634, LP (1956), trk# 18
Robeson, Paul. Essential Paul Robeson, Vanguard VSD 57/58, LP (1974/1958), trk# B.06 (O No, John)
Stevens, George. Blue Dog Cellar Project No. 1, Kimberly RINC 1245, LP (196?), trk# B.07 (Oh No George)
Summers, Andrew Rowan. Seeds of Love, Folkways FA 2021, LP (1951), trk# B.03
----------------
Fisher, Cilla; and Artie Trezise. Ballad Folk - from the BBC Scotland Television Series, BBC 22293, LP (1977), trk# B.02 [1970s]
Kines, Tom. Folk Songs of Canada, RCA PC 1014, LP (1963), trk# A.06
Bikel, Theodore. Actors Holiday, Elektra EKL 105, LP (1956), trk# A.06
------------------
Quoted directly from the BBC's WW2 People's War Archive
Memories told by Doris Bredin formerly from Greerstown, to Joan Henderson
In 1944 evacuees from Gibraltar, who had just spent several years in England, arrived at Warbleshinney Camp near Greerstown on the outskirts of Londonderry. The camp consisted of rows of nissan huts - corrugated iron structures with concrete floors. The accommodation was very basic as each hut was divided in two with a family housed at either end in a single room. This had a table and chairs with two bunk beds on either side made up with grey blankets. They were heated by small coal burning stoves.
A central core of buildings had a canteen where meals were served, and also contained bathrooms, a laundry, and chemical W.C.’s. There was also a large refectory where various events took place - concerts, socials and dances. This proved to be a popular place for socialising. Doreen Lowry, (nee Todd) remembers her mother playing and singing songs such as ‘I’ll walk beside you’ and Doris remembers singing a duet with Hilda Rosborough, (nee Cooke) — ‘On yonder hill there lives a maiden---oh no John, no John no!’
---------------------------
No John, No / No, Sir, No (Mainly Norfolk)
[ Roud 146 ; Ballad Index R385 ; Wiltshire Roud 146 ; trad.]
Emily Sparkes sang No, Sir, No to John Howson in Rattlesden, Suffolk, in 1958/59. This recording was included in 1993 on the Veteran cassette and in 2009 on the Veteran CD Many a Good Horseman. John Howson commented:
Cecil Sharp collected a version of O No, John and it was published in Folk Songs from Somerset in 1908. It was republished in Novello's School Songs and in Vol. 2 of the Selected Edition of English Folk Songs in 1921. As a result, Sharp's version, albeit with altered words to make it suitable for schoolchildren, became one of the most well known songs in the country. The song has been widely collected and appears in other forms often called Ripest Apples or Twenty, Eighteen. Emily's version is slightly truncated, with no mention of tying the garter or the couple actually making it to bed, but for the full story listen to Sam Larner on Now Is the Time for Fishing.
Sam Larner sang No Sir, No Sir at home in Winterton, Norfolk, to Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger in 1959-60. This recording was published in 1961 on his Folkways album Now Is the Time for Fishing. The accompanying booklet commented:
My Man John, Twenty Eighteen and No, John are all related to this somewhat bawdy piece. More distant relatives are those singing games, The Keys of Heaven and Lady on the Mountain. The most closely related versions, however, are American, Uh-uh, No and Merchant's Daughter, which latter was recorded for Folkways by the Stoneman family and bears an uncanny similarity in text and tune to that in this album.
Bob and Ron Copper of Rottingdean, Sussex, sang No, John, No in a recording made by Peter Kennedy on the anthology Songs of Courtship (The Folk Songs of Britain Volume 1; Caedmon 1961; Topic 1968). And John, Bob and Ron Copper sang No, John, No in 1971 on the Copper Family's Leader album A Song for Every Season.
Roy Bailey sang No Sir No in 1971 on his eponymous Trailer album Roy Bailey.
Jean Redpath sang No, Sir on her 1976 Trailer album There Were Minstrels.
John Kirkpatrick and Maggie Goodall sang No John in 1984 on the album The Old Songs.
Crucible sang Fair Maid Walking (No Sir No) in 2005 on their WildGoose CD Crux. They commented in their liner notes:
Gav[in Davenport] remembers hearing his dad sing this song when he was young, and this version comes from the singing of Steve Gardham of Hull. The girl in the song is smart enough to use her “no means no” to get exactly what she wants.
Gavin Davenport sang No Sir No! also with the Albion Band in 2011 on their EP Fighting Room.
Lyrics
Emily Sparkes sings No, Sir, No
Tell me one thing, tell me truly
Tell me why you scorn me so,
Tell me why, when asked a question,
You will always answer ‘No’.
Chorus (repeated after each verse):
No sir, no sir, no sir, no-oh-oh-oh
No sir, no sir, no sir, no.
My father was a Spanish merchant,
And before he went away,
He told me to be sure and answer,
‘No’ to all that you should say.
If while walking in the garden,
Plucking flowers all wet with dew,
Tell me, wouldn't you be offended
If I pluck-ed one for you?
And if while walking in the garden,
I should ask you to be mine,
Tell me would you be offended.
Would you then my heart decline?
John, Bob and Ron Copper sing No, John
On yonder hill there lives a lady
But her name I do not know,
I'll go and court her for her beauty,
Whether she answers yes or no.
Chorus (repeated after each verse):
No John no, no John no,
No John, no John, no John no!
She is a fair and handsome creature
And to woo her I will go.
I will ask her if she'll be my true love,
Will she answer yes or no?
If when walking in the garden
Plucking flowers all wet with dew,
Tell me will you be offended
If I walk and talk with you?
Tell me one thing tell me truly,
Tell me why you scorn me so,
Tell me why, when asked a question
That you always answer No?
My father was a Spanish merchant
And before he went to sea,
He told me to be sure to answer
No to all you said to me,
And if when walking in the garden
I should ask you to be mine,
If I tell you that I love you
Would you then my love decline?
John Kirkpatrick and Maggie Goodall sing No, John
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.
Chorus (repeated after each verse):
Oh, no, John, no John,
No, John, no!
On her bosom are bunches of posies,
On her breast where flowers grow.
If I should chance to touch that posy
She must answer yes or no.
Madam, I am come for to court you
If your favour I can gain.
Come and sat yourself down alongside me
I fear I should never see you again.
My husband he was a Spanish captain,
Went to sea a month ago.
The very last time that we kissed and parted
Bid me always answer “No!”
Madam, in your face is beauty,
In your bosom flowers grow,
In your bedroom there is pleasure,
Shall I view it? Yes or no.
Madam, shall I tie your garter,
Tie it a little above your knee?
If my hand should slip a little farther,
Would you think it amiss of me?
My love and I went to bed together,
There we lay till the cocks did crow;
Unclose your arms, my dearest jewel,
Unclose your arms and let me go.
------------------------------Sharp, One Hundred English Folksongs (1916) pp.154-155
There Was Always a Cat: Memories of My Early Life-The Cats I've Loved and ...
By Beryl Walker
The Bennet Family, Volume 20
Front Cover
Mintie Allen Royse
Indiana Historical Society, 1958
No Sir No
Roud Folksong Index (S316293)
First Line: Yonder is a comely flower
Source: Bluebonnet BL127 ('Mountain Ballads & Oldtime Songs 7')
Performer: Kincaid, Bradley
Date: 1963
Place: USA : Kentucky
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No Sir
Roud Folksong Index (S185366)
First Line:
Source: Cecil Sharp MSS, Folk Tunes p.1845
Performer: Passmore, Mr.
Date: 1908 (7 Sep)
Place: England : Somerset : Pitminster
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
No John No
Roud Folksong Index (S155907)
First Line: On yonder hill there lives a lady
Source: Copper, Early to Rise (1976) pp.256-257
Performer: Copper Family
Date:
Place: England : Sussex : Rottingdean
No, John, No
Roud Folksong Index (S246449)
First Line: On yonder hill there stands a creature
Source: Gwilym Davies Collection
Performer: Goode, Archer
Date: 1975 (6 Jan)
Place: England : Gloucestershire : Cheltenham
Collector: Davies, Gwilym
Oh No John
Roud Folksong Index (S185860)
First Line: On yonder hill there lives a lady
Source: BBC recording 16063
Performer: Copper, James
Date: 1951 (1 Mar)
Place: England : Sussex : Rottingdean
Collector: Ennis, Seamus
No Sir No
Roud Folksong Index (S216627)
First Line: In London city there dwelt a maiden
Source: Folktracks FSA 139 (`Over the Dogger Bank')
Performer: Larner, Sam
Date: 1958c
Place: England : Norfolk : Winterton
No Sir No
Roud Folksong Index (S246441)
First Line: Yonder is a comely flower
Source: Kincaid, My Favorite Mountain Ballads & Old-Time Songs (1928) p.44
Performer: Kincaid, Bradley
Date:
Place: USA : Kentucky
"No Sir, No Sir" sung by Beryl Walker and Peter Diprose October 16, 1942
Temora is a town in the north-east of the Riverina area of New South Wales, 418 kilometres south-west of the state capital, Sydney, Australia
----------------
er: Copper
Date: 24 Jul 1950
Place: England : Sussex : Rottingdean
Collector: Collinson, F.
---------
Oh No John
Roud Folksong Index (S185861)
First Line: Tell me, will you tell me truly
Source: BBC recording 18678
Performer: Bishop, Emily
Date: 1952 (13 Oct)
Place: England : Gloucestershire : Bromsberrow Heath
Collector: Kennedy, Peter
Roud No: 146
No John
Roud Folksong Index (S216611)
First Line: On yonder hill there lives a lady
Source: Folktracks 90-239 (`Adam and Eve')
Performer: Copper, John, Bob & Ron
Date:
Place: England : Sussex : Peacehaven
Collector: Kennedy, Peter
No Sir
Roud Folksong Index (S305249)
First Line: Tell me why you are so cruel
Source: Folkways FA 2427 ('Precious Memories')
Performer: Ritchie, Jean
Date: 1962
Place: USA : Kentucky : Viper
No Sir
Roud Folksong Index (S155931)
First Line: Tell me one thing, tell me true
Source: Edith Fowke Coll. (FO 21)
Performer: Fraser, Mrs. Arlington
Date: 1962 (Aug)
Place: Canada : Ontario : Lancaster
Collector: Fowke, Edith
Roud No: 146
O No John
Roud Folksong Index (S156136)
First Line: Tell me one thing, tell me truly
Source: Stout, Folklore from Iowa (1936) p.44
Performer: Beck, Oren
Date: 1931
Place: USA : Iowa : Belle Plaine
Collector: Stout, Earl J.
Roud No: 146
No Sir No
Roud Folksong Index (S155937)
First Line: My father was a Spanish merchant
Source: Fuson, Ballads of the Kentucky Highlands (1930) p.81
Performer: Moses, Mrs. Louisa
Date:
Place: USA : Kentucky
Collector: Fuson, Harvey H.
No Sir No Sir
Roud Broadside Index (B48001)
First Line: Tell me one thing, tell me truly
Source: The Tip Top Songs (VWML `Miscellaneous Popular Songs' p.155)
Roud No: 146
Format: Songster
Src Contents: Text
Other nums:
Printer/Publisher: Brown (Glasgow)
No Sir
Roud Folksong Index (S262851)
First Line:
Source: Library of Congress recording 2966 B2
Performer: Long, Mary Ila
Date: 1939
Place: USA : Mississippi : Saltillo
Collector: Halpert, Herbert
Oh No John
Roud Folksong Index (S156277)
First Line: Tell me one thing, and tell me truly
Source: Hamer, Green Groves p.58
Performer: Walmsley, Mrs. A.
Date:
Place: England : Lancashire
Collector: Hamer, Fred
Roud No: 146
Subjects: Courtship : No sir
My Father Was a Spanish Merchant
Roud Folksong Index (S216048)
First Line: My father was a Spanish merchant
Source: Newman, Never Without a Song pp.139-140
Performer: Devlin, Jennie
Date: 1936/1938
Place: USA : Massachusetts : Gloucester
Collector: Newman, Katharine D. / Alan Lomax
Yes Or No
Roud Folksong Index (S166284)
First Line: Yonder is a comely flower
Source: Morris, Folksongs of Florida (1950) pp.358-359
Performer: McClellan, Mrs. C.S.
Date:
Place: USA : Florida : High Springs
Collector: Morris, Alton C.
O No John
Roud Folksong Index (S246670)
First Line: On yonder hill there stands a creature
Source: Folktrax 417 ('All Brought up on Cider')
Performer: Goode, Archer / Carol Davies
Date: 1975
Place: England : Gloucestershire : Chreltenham
Collector: Davies, Gwilym
No Sir No
Roud Folksong Index (S262852)
First Line:
Source: Library of Congress recording 2261 A3
Performer: McBride, Bill
Date: 1938 (Aug)
Place: USA : Michigan : Mt. Pleasant
Collector: Lomax, Alan
No Sir
Roud Folksong Index (S155935)
First Line: My father he was a Spanish merchant and before he went to sea
Source: Edith Fowke Coll. (FO 85)
Performer: Botting, Stanley
Date: 1958 (Feb)
Place: Canada : British Columbia : Naramata
Collector: Fowke, Edith
No Sir No Sir
Roud Folksong Index (S155939)
First Line: Tell me one thing, tell me truly
Source: Randolph, Ozark Folk Songs 3 pp.104-105
Performer: Morgan, Mrs. Maggie
Date: 1942 (9 Feb)
Place: USA : Arkansas : Springdale
Collector: Randolph, Vance
O No John
Roud Folksong Index (S246669)
First Line: Yonder sets a comely creature
Source: Cecil Sharp MSS, Folk Tunes p.4545
Performer: Gibson, Mrs. Mary
Date: 1918 (3 Sep)
Place: USA : N. Carolina : Marion
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
The Scottish Merchant's Daughter
Roud Folksong Index (S220890)
First Line: When we're walking in the garden
Source: Moore, Ballads & Folk Songs of the Southwest pp.217-218
Performer: Daley, Mrs. Susie Evans
Date:
Place: USA : Oklahoma : Tulsa
Collector: Moore, Ethel & Chauncey O.
Roud No: 146
West Virginia Folklore - Volumes 4-9 - Page 16
https://books.google.com/books?id=N7LYAAAAMAAJ
1953 - Snippet view - More editions
... and feet ; And on my heart a turtle dove To show to the world that I died for love."
XV Yonder Stands An Irish Maiden, (fragment) (from Aunt Jesse Efaw)
Yonder stands an Irish maiden,
Who she is I do not know;
I will court her for her beauty,
For all she can say is "No, no, no."
Yonder Stands An Irish Maiden
Roud Folksong Index (S274016)
First Line: Yonder stands an Irish maiden
Source: West Virginia Folklore 5:2 (Winter 1955) p.35
Performer: Glasscock, Mrs. Howard
Date: 1955
Place: USA : W. Virginia : Wetzel County
Collector: Musick, Ruth Ann
Oh No John
Roud Folksong Index (S246871)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.1044
Performer: Lansdowne, Gladys
Date: 1941 (27 Sep)
Place: USA : Virginia : Waterfall
Collector: Morton, Susan R.
No Sir
Roud Folksong Index (S388092)
First Line: Tell me one thing tell me truly
Source: James Madison Carpenter MSS Collection (American Folklife Center, Library of Congress / VWML, London) p.09463
Performer: Adams, Janey
Date: 1929c-1935c
Place:
Collector: Carpenter, James Madison
No No Sir No
Roud Folksong Index (S310961)
First Line: My father, he is a merchant
Source: Duncan, Ballads & Folk Songs Collected in Northern Hamilton County (1939) pp.354-355
Performer: Gann, Viola
Date: 1938 (18 Aug)
Place: USA : Tennessee : Sale Creek
Collector: Duncan, Ruby
O No John
Roud Folksong Index (S216868)
First Line: On yonder hill there stands a maiden
Source: Bush, Folk Songs of Central West Virginia 3 pp.43-44
Performer: Hoover, Alice
Date: 1969 (31 Dec)
Place: USA : W. Virginia : Hays City
Collector: Bush, Michael E.
No Sir
Roud Folksong Index (S382917)
First Line: As I walked out to Nottaway city
Source: Leary, Folksongs of Another America (2015) pp.121-123
Performer: McBride, Bill
Date: 1938 (Aug)
Place: USA : Michigan : Mt. Pleasant
Collector: Lomax, Alan
https://www.vwml.org/record/RoudFS/S156133
---------------------
Two versions from Dorset are given in 'Marrowbones' under the name 'No Sir No' (Hammond nos D 417 and D 880). The verses for them are given below.
John Greening Dorset 1906
Pretty maid walking in the garden,
Who she is I do not know,
I'll go court her for her beauty,
Let the answer be Yes! or No!
(Chorus)
O dear O! No! Sir No!
Still her answer to me was No!
Madam I am come a-courting,
Hoping your favour I shall gain
If you'll kindly entertain me,
Perhaps some day I'll call again.
My husband is a Spanish captain
Left me to mourn three weeks ago.
The very last time we kissed and parted
He told me - Always answer No!
Lady walking in the garden,
No aloner might you be
If I should wlak along beside you
Would that be any harm to thee?
Stooping down to tie her garter,
Just a little above her knee,
If my hand should slide any farther
Would that be any harm to theee?
So they lay all night together,
Till the cocks began to crow
Now the daylight is appearing
Open your arms and let me go.
There's one more thing I have to ask you
That's before I let you go,
Did you ever sleep more sweeter,
Was you ever cuddled so?
--------------
Spanish Lady
Roud Folksong Index (S273154)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D36 A 19
Performer: Hawes, Andrew
Date: 1943 (18 Jun)
Place: USA : New Hampshire : Pittsburg
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Track 19 : Spanish Lady (No Sir) - voice performance by L A Hawes at Pittsburg (Nh.). Dated 06-18-1943.
As I rode out to McCloud city
At twelve o'clock the other night
Twas there I spied a Spanish lady
Washing her scarves in pale moonlight.
She said No, no sir no
Still her answer it was No.
Her shoes they were of Spanish leather,
Her stockings were silk so fine,
She was dressed in [ ]
And I thought her heart was mine.
CHORUS
Madam, in her chamber
And lock the door
Should I try to go there with you,
Darling would you come with me.
CHORUS
My father was a lumber merchant,
He enlisted some years ago
And the only will he gave me
Was to answer young men No.
CHORUS
Yes Sir No Sir
Roud Folksong Index (S273774)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D41 A 06
Performer: Flint, Mrs. Perkins
Date: 1944 (20 Nov)
Place: USA : Vermont : Braintree
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Californian Brothers
Roud Folksong Index (S272896)
First Line:
Source: Helen Creighton collection (Nova Scotia Archives) AR 5752 / AC 2348 / 2785
Performer: Hatt, Nathan / Hatt, Arch
Date: 1954
Place: Canada : Nova Scotia : Middle River
Collector: Creighton, Helen
Roud No: 146
No Sir No Sir
Roud Folksong Index (S272999)
First Line:
Source: Helen Creighton collection (Nova Scotia Archives) AR 5752 / AC 2348 / 2786
Performer: Hatt, Nathan / Hatt, Arch
Date: 1954
Place: Canada : Nova Scotia : Middle River
Collector: Creighton, Helen
O No John
Roud Folksong Index (S246671)
First Line: On yonder hill there stands a creature
Source: Helen Creighton collection (Nova Scotia Archives) AR 5091 / AC 2243 / 651
Performer: Burns, Peter
Date: 1944 (21 Mar)
Place: Canada : Nova Scotia : Dartmouth
Collector: Creighton, Helen
No Sir No
Roud Folksong Index (S392110)
First Line: Tell me one thing tell me truly
Source: Memorial University Folklore Archive (MUNFLA) (St. John's, Newfoundland) acc. 71-26 / counter 089
Performer: Power, Rose
Date: 1962
Place: Canada : Newfoundland : Branch
Collector: Power, Mary
No Sir, No
First Line Tell me one thing, tell me truly
Plot Summary Humourous song of skill with words.
Number of Stanzas 4+refrain
Accession Number 71-26
Tape Counter Number 089
Place of Recording Branch
Region St. Mary's Bay
Date of Recording 620000
Informant Power, Rose
Collector Power, Mary
First Stanza
Tell me one thing, tell me truly,
Tell me why you've scorned me so,
Tell me why, when asked a question,
You will always answer, "No!"
Annotation Kennedy, "Folksongs of Britain and Ireland", 138, p. 315; Fowke (No Sir!"), "Family Herald Index", p. 48.
Collection Memorial University Folklore Archive Song Title Index
Source 4 volume paper index of song recordings held in the MUNFLA Archives. The index was compiled by the Memorial University Folklore Archives; and the digital database created by the Research Centre for Music, Media and Place.
No Sir
Roud Folksong Index (S246436)
First Line: Tell me one thing darling tell me
Source: Solomon, Sweet Bunch of Daisies (1991) p.89
Performer: Herren, Ruth Burton
Date: 1974-1977
Place: USA : Alabama : Tallassee
Collector: Solomon, Jack & Olivia
No Sir No
Roud Folksong Index (S262853)
First Line:
Source: Library of Congress recording 1504 A1
Performer: Garrison, Mrs. Lucy
Date: 1937
Place: USA : Kentucky : Providence
Collector: Lomax, Alan & Elizabeth
"Oh No John." From "Song Ballads & Other Songs of the Pine Mountain Settlement School," Kentucky, 1923; Sharp's text with one additional penultimate stanza.
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My Man John (usually called My Son John) is an old English Folk Song.
Maid Mary having broke the handle of her Hair Broom & hearing that Man John had a long Stick that wou'd fitt it, desir'd him to put it in for her.
My Man John had a thing that was long.
My maid Mary had a thing that was hairy.
My Man John put his thing that was Long
into my maid Mary's thing that was Hairy.
My maid Mary then stirr'd it about,
till with stirring and stirring at length it came out,
but then my Man John thrust it in once again,
and knock'd it most stoutly to make it remain;
but John with much knocking so widen'd the hole,
that his long thing slip'd out still in spight of his soul,
'till weary'd and vex'd and with knocking grown sore,
cry'd, "a Pox take the Hole for I'll knock it no more!"
David Jones: A Commentary on Some Poetic Fragments - Page 82
https://books.google.com/books?id=Hh4fAAAAMAAJ
Christine Pagnoulle - 1987 - Snippet view - More editions
This exalted position recalls the English folk-song: 'On yonder hill there stands a creature/who she is I do not know' , also echoed in The Anathemata in lines about Christ's mother: 'Stands a lady/on a mountain/who she is/they could not know' .
Cornell 4-H club bulletin, Issues 40-55
Front Cover
1930
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No Sir
Converse's Banjo Songs
arranged by Frank Converse, 1888
Randall, Carrie Lee. McIntosh, David S. / Folk Songs and Singing Games of the Illinois Ozarks, SIU Press, Bk/ (1974), p106 [1949/05/09]
On Yonder Hill There Stands a Lady
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No, Sir Jean Ritchie Oscar Brand Courtin's a pleasure & other Folksongs from the Southern Appalachians; 1957
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"Oh No John," or "No Sir"
Randolph reports:
Aarne-Thompson type 855A 855: The Substitute Bridegroom
Afanasiev, Stories p. 42-45
Belgium Kryptadia IV 341-342
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The legendary Spanish mezzo-soprano Conchita Supervia (1895-1936) in an old English song "Oh no, John" 1932
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Notes by Kittredge for JAFL
A duet on the same theme is "No! no!" "The American Minstrel" (Cincinnati, 1837, cop. 1836), pp. 303-304 ("The celebrated duet sung by Mr. Sinclair and Mrs. Rowbotham"); "The Singer's Own Book," new edition (Philadelphia, cop. 1832), p. 46 (with singers as above); the same (reprint by Leavitt and Allen, New York), p. 46; "Burton's Comic Songster" (Philadelphia, 1838), pp. 98-99, also in the reprint of 1856 ("Billy Burton's Comic Songster," New York, Richard Marsh), pp. 98-99 ("Sung by Mr. Brunton and Mrs. Rowbotham"); "The Bijou Minstrel" (Philadelphia, Turner & Fisher, 1840), p. 274; "Col. Crockett's Free and Easy Song Book," p. 241 ("Sung by Mr. Sinclair and Mrs. Rowbotham"); "The Arkansas Traveller's Songster" (New York, cop. 1864), p. 61 ("The celebrated Duett in the Burletta of 'No.' As sung by James Dunn and Mrs. W. G. Jones, at the New Bowery Theatre. Air — 'Isabel'").
A simple and pretty version of the "No" theme is "You shan't, Sir!" ("The Melodist, and Mirthful Olio," London, 1828, ii, 148-149.)
Other related pieces of older date are: (1) "The Dumb Lady; Or, No, no, not I; I'le Answer" (begins, "Underneath a little Mountain"): Roxburghe collection, ii, III; Pepys, iii, 128; Douce, 650.; Huth, i, 83; Crawford, No. 1224 (Roxburghe Ballads, ed. Ebsworth, iv, 352354; Crawford Catalogue, p. 443); and (2) "O nay, nay, not yet" (begins, "A young man walking all alone"): "Merry Drollery," Part I, 1661, pp. 32-33, in Ebsworth's reprint of "Choyce Drollery," 1876, pp. 204-206; "Percy MS., Loose and Humorous Songs," pp. 92-93. One may note two other songs of similar tenor, — "No, my Love, not I" (Harvard broadsides, 25242.17, iv, 103, John Gilbert, Newcastle, No. 17; and vi, 82, Walker, Durham, No. 40); and "No, Tom, No" (25242.17, ii, 23, George Walker, Jun., Durham, No. 18). Compare also "Roxburghe Ballads," ed. Ebsworth, vi, 157-158; vii, 201.]
The American Minstrel: A Choice Collection of the Most Popular Songs, Glees etc. 1837
No! No! The celebrated duet sung by Mr. Sinclair and Mrs. Rowbotham.
He.—Will you not bless, with one sentence, a lover,
Whose bosom beats only for you;
The cause of your anger, I prythee discover,
Pray tell me the reason for?
She. No!
He. Say dearest, you still love me?
She. No!
He. Oh, how can you doom me to sorrow,
Yet once again bless me with
She. No!
He.—And promise to meet me to-morrow,
Promise—
She. No!
He Prythee--
She. No!
He. Don't say no!
He.—Must we, then, dearest Maria, sever,
And can you then part with me !
She. No!
He.—Then swear by yon sun, to be mine only ever,
You cannot refuse me, love:
She. No!
He- You hate not your fond lover?
She. No!
He-Your hand to my faithful heart pressing,
Say, does it offend you, love?
She. No!
He —Then, to marry will not be distressing,
Answer?
She. No!
He.—Once more
She. No! no! no! no!
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The University Studies - Volumes 32-37 - Page 357
https://books.google.com/books?id=Q-7lifKgZzoC
1934 - Snippet view - More editions
All her answers to me were no.
2 "Madam, I have gold anil silver,
Madam, I have house and land.
Madam, I have a world of pleasures.
All I want is your right hand.
"No, no, no, sir, no."
All her answers to me were no. 1 "What do I care for your
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Cecil Sharp Manuscript Collection (at Clare College, Cambridge) (CJS2/9/1777)
No John No!
First Line: On yonder's hill there lives a maiden
Performer: Beale, James
Date: 23 Sep 1908
Place: England : Kent : Warehorne
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
No John No!
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
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
No John etc
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?
No John etc.
1778
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
No John etc
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
No John etc
Jas [James] Beale (72) of Warehorne, Kent Sept [September] 23. 1908
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O No John
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!
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!
Source: Singing Together, Autumn 1965, BBC Publications
Notes:
This is given as 'Somerset Folk Song' and is taken from Cecil Sharp's Collected Folk Songs.
Two versions from Dorset are given in 'Marrowbones' under the name 'No Sir No' (Hammond nos D 417 and D 880). The verses for them are given below.
Pretty maid walking in the garden,
Who she is I do not know,
I'll go court her for her beauty,
Let the answer be Yes! or No!
(Chorus)
O dear O! No! Sir No!
Still her answer to me was No!
Madam I am come a-couring,
Hoping your favour I shall gain
If you'll kindly entertain me,
Perhaps some day I'll call again.
My husband is a Spanish captain
Left me to mourn three weeks ago.
The very last time we kissed and parted
He told me - Always answer No!
Lady walking in the garden,
No aloner might you be
If I should wlak along beside you
Would that be any harm to thee?
Stooping down to tie her garter,
Just a little above her knee,
If my hand should slide any farther
Would that be any harm to theee?
So they lay all night together,
Till the cocks began to crow
Now the daylight is appearing
Open your arms and let me go.
There's one more thing I have to ask you
That's before I let you go,
Did you ever sleep more sweeter,
Was you ever cuddled so?