Breedloves's Folk Songs

MADAM IM A DARLING

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  • MADAM IM A DARLING
    I assume this is an Irish tune, possibly Appalachian, but know nothing about its origins,
    nor am I able to find anything. The version I know has it to an upbeat, fast, lively tempo,
    and the singers are accompanied by guitar and flute.
    As I walked out of Chester City
    At the late hour of the night
    Who should I see but a fair young maiden
    Washing her clothes in the clear moonlight
    Madam, I’m a darlin’, a die-ro, dither-o
    Madam, I’m a darlin’, a die-ro, day
    Madam, I’m a darlin’, a die-ro, dither-o
    Madam, I’m a darlin’, a die-ro, day
    First she washed them, then she squeezed them
    Then she hung them out to dry
    Then she folded up her arms, sayin’
    “Oh, what a fair young girl am I.”
    CHORUS
    Did you ever hear of cups and saucers
    Rattlin’ about in an old tin can
    Did you ever hear of a fair young maiden
    Married to a grey, to a grey old man
    CHORUS
    Madam, I will tie your garter
    I will tie it above your knee
    If yo like I’ll tie it up further
    ‘Cause Madam, I’m a darling, a die-ro day
    CHORUS
    Going to the well for a pail of water
    Fetching it back to make some tea
    She fell under and I fell over
    And, oh, the game was above her knee!
    CHORUS
  • Lad, you may have gold and silver
    Lad, you may have tracts of land
    You may have a fleet of ships on the ocean
    But all I need now is a canny young ma

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