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Courting Too Slow

[ Roud 1918 ; Laws P5 ; Ballad Index LP05 ; words trad., music Peter Bellamy]

Courting Too Slow can be found on a broadside in the Madden Collection, Cambridge. Someone asked on Mudcat if it is related to the American song On Top of Old Smokey but I think the link is rather weak; they share just the phrase “courting too slow”.

Peter Bellamy recorded Courting Too Slow for both of his 1975 albums Tell It Like It Was and Peter Bellamy. He commented in the latter album's notes:

Another set of broadsheet verses which came to me without a tune. That which I have composed for it sounds a bit Irish, but I believe the song to be originally Scots.

John Spiers and Jon Boden recorded this song in 2003 for their duo album Bellow and with Bellowhead in 2006 for their CD Burlesque. They commented in the first CD's notes:

This might have come from the GQ problems page. In fact traditional words with a tune by The Boss, Peter Bellamy.

Lyrics

Peter Bellamy sings Courting Too Slow

It was on one Monday morning and oh it was soon.
I bought my pretty Betty a pair of new shoen,
A pair of new shoen and slippers also.
But 𝄆 I lost my pretty Betty by courting too slow. 𝄇

Well I bought my pretty Betty a garland of green
With ribbons and jewels most rare to be seen;
And rings for her fingers of bright shining gold,
But 𝄆 I lost my pretty Betty by not being bold. 𝄇

And it was on one Tuesday evening and oh it was late,
Oh I fain would have kissed her but I was too straight
I was thinking how to gain her consent to be true
But 𝄆 I lost my pretty Betty by courting too slow. 𝄇

For in there come a sailor all in his tarry trews
And he went into the chamber where my true love was;
He kissed her, then he clapped her, he flattered her so,
And 𝄆 he fair won the day by my courting too slow. 𝄇

So it's come all you young fellows and pray take my advice
And when you go courting now don't you be too nice;
But kiss all them pretty girls and let them for to know
That 𝄆 you don't mean to lose them by courting too slow. 𝄇

On Top of Old Smokey

On top of Old Smokey, all covered with snow,
I lost my true lover for courting too slow.

For courting's a pleasure but parting is grief,
And a false-hearted lover is worse than a thief.

A thief will just rob you and take what you have,
But a false-hearted lover will lead you to your grave.

The grave will decay you and turn you to dust,
Not one boy in a hundred a poor girl can trust.

They'll hug you and kiss you and tell you more lies
Than crossties on a railroad or stars in the sky.

So come ye young maidens and listen to me:
Never place your affection in a green willow tree.

For the leaves they will wither, the roots they will die,
And you'll be forsaken and never know why.

Links

See also the Mudcat Café thread Lyr Req: Courting Too Slow.