Reuben and Rachel

by Harry Birch

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