Parcel from a Lady, The (Under Her Apron)

DESCRIPTION: Singer is hailed by a lady who asks him to hold her parcel while she finds her sister. He holds the parcel until his arms grow tired. He sets it down; it emits a squall; he finds a baby. He advises young men never to take a parcel from a lady
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1959 (recorded from Frank Hillier)
LONG DESCRIPTION: Singer, walking down the strand, is hailed by a lady who asks him to hold her parcel while she goes to find her sister. He agrees, and holds the parcel until his arms grow tired. He then sets it down, and it emits a squall; he opens the parcel, and finds a baby. He advises young men never to take a parcel from a lady, or they might find themselves with an unwanted child
KEYWORDS: request warning abandonment humorous baby
FOUND IN: Britain(England(South))
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Kennedy-FolksongsOfBritainAndIreland 328, "The Parcel from a Lady" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #898
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Basket of Eggs" (plot) and references there
ALTERNATE TITLES:
Rolled in her Apron
She roun't in her apron
NOTES [30 words]: While the plot is certainly similar to those of "The Basket of Eggs" and "Quare Bungo Rye", this song does not share any lyrics with them (except, of course, for the word "baby"). - PJS
File: K328

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