Mary and John

. . . The Lover’s Quarrel, 1890.
words and music by Oswald Stoll

The sheet music:

Mary-and-John – Sheet MusicDownload

Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:

Mary_And_John – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  1. Mary and John down in a distant old village
    Fell deep in love and were engaged to be wed
    But one fine day up went the nose of sweet Mary
    At what her John of some other girl had said
    John simply smiled he was much given to teasing
    And some old song softly he started to sing
    Mary with rage every moment grew warmer
    And at his feet threw their engagement ring

Chorus
“I won’t be your wife,” said Mary
“Thank goodness for that,” said John
“I hate such a brute,” said Mary
“But other girls don’t,” said John
“I’m going back to the dairy”
“Well, that’s just as well,” said he
“I hope you’ll be at the wedding
Of Molly Malone and me”

  1. Mary turned round just went a step or two from him
    Then at her John one farewell sly glance she took
    Thinking perhaps he was already repenting
    But all he said was “Why don’t you take your hook?”
    Out came his pipe, soon clouds of smoke he was puffing
    Into the air stretched out full length on the green
    Mary stood by somehow her heart was nigh breaking
    Had John become tired of his village queen?

Chorus
“Well, am I to go?” said Mary
“I don’t care a rap,” said John
“To spite you I won’t,” said Mary
“Well, maybe yer won’t,” said John
“Oh, why are you so contrary
I’ll drown myself, sir” said she
Said John, “On your way, dear Mary
Send Molly Malone to me”

  1. Tears filled her eyes as with her apron she covered
    Her pretty face, heaving a heartrending sigh
    All now seems o’er, what was the use of her staying
    Turning to John she then gently said “Goodbye”
    Up like a shot jumped the young fellow all smiling
    Touched to the heart by such a tender farewell
    Kissed all the tears from the sweet face of his Mary
    Told her the tales fond lovers always tell

Chorus
Then Johnny canudled Mary
And Mary canudled John
He vowed that fairer fairy
He never had gazed upon
And while little Mary’s laughing
Her head resting on his breast
With that I’ll conclude the story
No doubt you can guess the rest

Sung here by Fred Feild: