New Zealand Minstrelsy
Colonial Courtship of 1841
Colonial Courtship of 1841.
Courtship ’s truly all a bubble,
Society; LoveCourtship ’s truly all a bubble;
It breaks in air, and is nae mair,
Though aft it gi’es us meikle trouble.
When I was in my bloomin’ teens,
I lovers had, baith blythe and bonny;
Then ilk ane vow’d, by a’ that ’s guid;
He lo’ed me dearly mair than ony.
Chorus—Courtship ’s truly, &c.
As ilka ane I couldna wed,—
The lad I lo’ed maist didna offer;
At length they left me ane by ane,
As I was careless o’ ilk proffer.
Courtship ’s truly, &c.
SocietyMy kin me scorn’d, and sairly blamed,
And did me wi’ their banters laden;
I vow’d I’d rather lea’ my hame,
Than ’mang sic folk to dee a maiden.
Courtship ’s truly, &c.
On message sent, I chanced, yestreen,
Upon the beach to meet wi’ Jamie;
At first he spak o’ win’ and rain,
Then straight an offer he did gi’e me.
Courtship ’s truly, &c.
I thought upon my want o’ hame,
And how I’ve been my time a killin’;
SocietyAn offer noo!—Could I refuse?—
Quoth I,—I’m ready sin’ ye’re willin’.
Courtship ’s truly, &c.
SocietySo, quickly to Mess John we hied,
Without prepare or farther swither;
An’ soon the marriage knot was tied,—
Noo, I’ve got wed wi’nae great bother.
Courtship ’s truly, &c.