The Girl Who Never Would Wed- (NY) Gilbert 1942
[From Douglas Gilbert 1889-1948; Lost Chords, the Diverting Story of American Popular Songs, 1942. This analogue, which may have been a real song, was probably penned by Gilbert from a version of Courting Case although only the end is directly borrowed.
R. Matteson 2017]
[from wiki edited] Douglas Gilbert was born on September 17, 1889 in Rochester, New York, He was the son of Andrus L. and Elizabeth Ann (Lester) Gilbert. Douglas was educated at Moorestown (New Jersey) High school and Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York and began his journalist career in 1917. He served on New York Evening Post, Daily News and World. Became drama critic World-Telegram, later feature writer. He specialized in English literature of Victorian period and was a collector of 1st edits. of Victorian period authors. His works include "American Vaudeville, Its Life and Times," 1940 and "Lost Chords, the Diverting Story of American Popular Songs," 1942.
"The Girl Who Never Would Wed"
I courted a round-bottomed lass one spring
The birds were mating free,
The sheep and the goats
Were feeling their oats—
But she would have none of me.
When summer came and fields were filled
With scent of new mown hay,
The weather was hot, but she was not,
For still she said me nay,
For still she said me nay.
The summer went and autumn came,
And when the nights were chill,
We sat beside the fire in
Her house behind the hill.
'Twas then I said,
Two in a bed
Could warm and cozy be.
I pinched her rump, but up she jumped—
Says she, young man you're too free,
Says she, young man you're too free.
When winter came said I, why do
You choose to sleep alone;
And in single bed
Lay like one dead
As cold as any stone?
I offered her my house and lands
And all my worldly self
With arms so strong to keep her warm-
Says she, keep your arms to yourself.
For years and years I roamed about
And when I had my fill,
I found this girl a woman grown,
But she refused me still.
So when you are old and gray,
And shattery in the knees,
When the wintry blast wintry blast rolls round your rump,
I hope by Jesus you freeze,
I hope by Jesus you freeze.