Toddlin' But and Toddlin' Ben (The Wee Little Totum)

DESCRIPTION: "Some say to live single it is the best plan, But I was ne'er happy till I got a man, When I got a man I soon got a wean...." "It gangs toddlin' but, and gangs toddlin' ben." The singer describes the toddler's cheerful rambles, and rejoices in her life
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1906 (Greig/Duncan5)
KEYWORDS: marriage love baby wife
FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland(Aber))
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Greig/Duncan5 1072, "Oor Wee Little Tottum" (5 texts, 5 tunes)
Ord-BothySongsAndBallads, p. 137, "The Wee Totum" (1 text)
Roud #5551
NOTES [58 words]: Greig/Duncan5 quoting Gillespie: "Mrs Gillespie and myself, from a Mr Reid, precentor at Strichen and singing teacher about 1869." - BS
Not to be confused with the poem "Todlen butt, and todlen ben," found in Ramsay's 1724 Tea-Table Miscellany. That is listed as a modified old song, so it may be derived from this, but hte plot is different. - RBW
Last updated in version 3.0
File: Ord137

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