O No, John!

MIDI (2:59) [10kb]

Verse (sung by young man): "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 (sung by young woman): "O No, John! No, John! No, John! No!" Verse & Chorus (sung by young woman): "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!" Verse (young man): "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." Chorus (young woman): "O No, John! No, John! No, John! No!" "O Madam, I will give you jewels; I will make you rich and free; I will give you silken dresses. Madam, will you marry me?" "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!" "Then I will stay with you forever, If you will not be unkind. Madam, I have vowed to love you; Would you have me change my mind?" "O No, John! No, John! No, John! No!" "O hark! I hear the church bells ringing: Will you come and be my wife? Or, dear Madam, have you settled To live single all your life?" "O No, John! No, John! No, John! No!" Collected and arranged by Cecil J. Sharp, Copyright MCMXVI by Oliver Ditson Company Free JavaScripts provided by The JavaScript Source

It is also sometimes known as The Spanish Merchant's Daughter (circa 1672-84).

Bawdy Version:

On yonder hill there stands a creature,
Who she is I do not know
I will court her for her beauty,
She must answer yes or no
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
Oh no John, No John, No John, No!

Madam I am come for to court you,
If your favor I can gain
If you will but entertain me,
Perhaps then I might come again
Oh no John, No John, No John, No!

My husband was a Spanish captain,
Went to sea a month ago
The very last time we kissed and parted,
Bid me always answer no.
Oh no John, No John, No John, 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
Oh no John, No John, No John, 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
Oh no John, No John, No John, No!

My love and I went to bed together,
There we lay till cocks did crow;
Unclose your arms my dearest jewel,
Unclose your arms and let me go
Oh no John, No John, No John, No!