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!



abc | midi | pdf

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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?


Roud: 146 (Search Roud index at VWML) Take Six
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