Prayerbook, The

DESCRIPTION: The singer's sweetheart borrows his pretty prayerbook that had made him the target of every maid at Mass. She never returned it because her father parted them. Now, without his prayerbook, he waits for some kind maid to cure his heart and marry him.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1952 (OCroinin/Cronin-TheSongsOfElizabethCronin)
LONG DESCRIPTION: The singer had a pretty prayerbook so fine that at Mass fair maids would stare at him "in hopes to gain myself and same, we were so nice a pair." His sweetheart asked to borrow the prayerbook but kept it: "Since that time to me she did not spea.k" He says "It was your cruel father that first parted you and I." Now he waits "until some kind one takes me in hand and cures the heart that's sore.... The day's long passed away when I'd make you my bride... Some other lass will have the chance of wedding me some day."
KEYWORDS: courting love marriage rejection father
FOUND IN: Ireland
REFERENCES (1 citation):
OCroinin/Cronin-TheSongsOfElizabethCronin 175, "The Prayerbook" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #9717
RECORDINGS:
Elizabeth Cronin, "The Prayerbook" (on IRECronin01)
File: OCC175

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