It's But a Man

DESCRIPTION: The singer, long past her twenties, cannot stop thinking about marriage "wi a'thing I need but -- a man." She makes a case that she would be a good catch and she will never give up.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1914 (Greig/Duncan7)
LONG DESCRIPTION: The singer, long past her twenties, cannot stop thinking about marriage "wi a'thing I need but -- a man" A gypsy fortold she would marry "a dark haired lad." She's "weel eneuch aff" and thrifty and a good cook and housekeeper: the marriage would be "nae cost ava to my man." She admits "I'm nae very bonny" nor dainty "but he'll get a' the bigger a bargain." Men talk politics, and such -- "stuff I can ne'er understand" -- but they don't ask the question "will ye hae me for a man." Her "lassie companions they mock me ... 'But never give up' is my motto.... my weel baited line I'll aye dangle Until I at length hook a man"
KEYWORDS: nonballad oldmaid
FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland(Aber))
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Greig/Duncan7 1384, "It's But a Man" (1 text)
Roud #7245
File: GrD81384

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