Nervous Family, The

DESCRIPTION: The singer's family: "if left in the dark, are all frighten'd at each other"; the dog is afraid of visitors; the cat is afraid of a mouse. Doctors, lawyers, watchmen, pills, cordials don't help. Suddenly, the singer feels better and may not go home.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: before 1842 (broadside, Bodleian Harding B 25(1322))
KEYWORDS: disability medicine ordeal humorous nonballad doctor
FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland(Aber))
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Greig/Duncan8 1780, "We're A' Nervous" (1 text)
Roud #12988
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Harding B 25(1322), "The Nervous Family" ("We are all nervous, shake, shake, -- termbling [sic]"), T. Birt (London), 1833-1841; also Harding B 11(2625), "The Nervous Family"
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "We're a' Noddin'" (tune, per Greig/Duncan8)
cf. "The Crying Family (Imaginary Trouble)" (theme: much worry about nothing)
NOTES [12 words]: Broadside Bodleian Harding B 25(1322) is the basis for the description. - BS
Last updated in version 2.7
File: GrD81780

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