Nanny That Lives Next Door

DESCRIPTION: The singer takes Nan next door to "a wild beast show" where she is almost killed by a bear: it gets only the false bun of her hair. He proposes. She would prefer a man to a lad. He says he'd be her lad first and then her man. He's been happy with her.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1886 (broadside "Nanny That Leeves Next Door," Poet's Box (Glasgow), according to Greig/Duncan4)
KEYWORDS: courting escape hair humorous animal
FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland(Aber))
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Greig/Duncan4 884, "Nanny That Lives Next Door" (2 texts)
Roud #6137
NOTES [44 words]: This may not seem "humorous" but the intent is clearer from the chorus: "For she stole my heart while sittin and knittin' The time that I sat smokin' and spittin' And ever sin syne my heart's been a flittin' For Nannie that lives next door" (Greig/Duncan4 884A). - BS
Last updated in version 2.5
File: GrD3884

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Song List

Go to the Ballad Index Instructions
Go to the Ballad Index Bibliography or Discography