A Book of Nursery Songs and Rhymes/Nursery Songs/XII. LAST NIGHT THE DOGS DID BARK

by Sabine Baring-Gould

Last night the dogs did bark,
I went to the gate to see.
When every lass has got a spark,
Will nobody come for me?
And it's O dear! what will become of me?
O dear! what shall I do?
Nobody coming to marry me?
Nobody coming to woo?
My father's a hedger and ditcher,
My mother does nothing but spin,
And I am a pretty young lassie,
Yet slowly the money comes in.
And it's O dear! etc.
They say that I'm comely and fair,
They say that I'm scornful and proud.
Alas! I must surely despair,
For alack! I am getting quite ou'd.
And it's O dear! etc.
And now I must die an old maid.
O dear! how shocking's the thought.
And alas! all my beauty must fade,
But I'm sure it is none of my fau't.
And it's O dear! etc.