Ballads & Songs of Southern Michigan-songbook

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	Humor	413
	171 THE OLD MAN For texts and references see Cox, p. 489; Eddy, No. 37; Ford (First Series, 1899), pp. 141-143; Henry, pp. 9-10; David Herd, Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs (Edinburgh, 1776), II, 33-34; Johnson, p. 429; Sharp, II, 93-95; and Stout- p. 30. Version A was communicated by Mrs. Lillian Ammerman, Detroit; she obtained the song from her mother, who was of Scotch descent.


	1 There was an old man came over the lea, Heigh-I, but I won't have him; Came over the lea, a-courting of me, With his old shoes and leggings. 2 My mother she told me to go to the door; I went to the door, and he bowed to the floor. 3 My mother she told me to get him some meat; I gave him some meat, and he ate like a sheep. 4 My mother she told me to get him some bread; I got him some bread, and I wished he was dead. 5 My mother she told me to get him some beer; I got him some beer, and he called me his dear.
	6 My mother she told me to get him a stool; I got him a stool, and he looked like a fool.