Reuben and Rachel

Reuben and Rachel by Harry Birch

Music by William Gooch, 1871.[1][2]

1.
(Rachel):
Reuben, I have long been thinking,

What a good world this might be,

If the men were all transported

Far beyond the Northern Sea.

(Reuben):
Rachel, I have been long been thinking,

What a fine world this might be,

If we had some more young ladies

On this side the Northern Sea.

Refrain (sung twice):
(Re.): Too ral loo ral loo, (Ra.): Too ral loo rall,
(Re.): Too ral loo ral loo, (Ra.): Too ral lee,
(Rachel and Reuben; overapped voices!):
(Ra.): If the men were all transported

Far beyond the Northern Sea.

(Re.): If we had some more young ladies

On this Side the Northern Sea.

2.
(Rachel):
Reuben, I’m a poor lone woman,

No one seems to care for me,

I wish the men were all transported

Far beyond the Northern Sea.

(Reuben):
I’m a man without a victim,

Soon I think there’s one will be,

If the men are not transported

Far beyond the Northern Sea.

Refrain twice

3.
(Rachel):
Reuben, what’s the use of fooling,

Why not come up like a man?

If you’d like to have a “lovyer”

I´m for life your “Sally Ann.”

(Reuben):
Oh my goodness! oh my gracious!

What a queer world this would be,

If the men were all transported

Far beyond the Northern Sea!

Refrain twice

4.
(Rachel):
Reuben, now do stop your teazing,

If you’ve any love for me;

I was only just a fooling,

As I thought of course you’d see.

(Reuben):
Rachel, I will not transport you,

But will take you for a wife,

We will live on “milk and honey,”

Better or worse, we’re in for life.

Refrain twice

This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.