American Old Time Song Lyrics: 48 Mamie Ray
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 48
MAMIE RAY.
Copyright, 1894, by F. J. Tierney.
By F. J. Tierney.
In a little cot lives Mamie, pretty, sweet and coy;
She's in love with shepherd Jamie, tie's her sweetheart boy;
When the sheep are under cover, lambs all in the fold,
Mamie runs to hear her lover tell the story old.
Down by the stile, where the barley grows,
Back of the old red barn.
Often he kissed her, and no one knows
But the cows, so now where's the harm. Oh!
Chorus.
Beautiful Mamie Ray, surely you'll not say nay;
Wise girls marry, so do not tarry, cupid must have his way;
Closer than ivy cling, happy as birds in the spring,
You'll then contented sing, beautiful Mamie Ray.
When the early summer morning gladdened all the land,
Came another, without warning, gold was in his band;
Lord was he of field and meadow, smilingly he said:
"Leave this humble shepherd fellow, take my gold instead."
"No, sir," said Mamie, with flashing eye,
Though her poor heart was sad:
"True love's a jewel gold cannot buy,
So I'll stick to my shepherd lad." Oh!- Chorus.
Thro' the orchard, in the gloaming, 'neath the laden boughs;
Arm in arm, so idly roaming, none to hear their vows;
Jamie slyly stole a kiss, her heart was filled with joy;
She then promised to be his, to wed the shepherd boy;
And the cows all blinked their soft brown eyes,
Daisies their heads did nod;
All seemed to know then how very wise
Was sly cupid with bow and rod. Oh
Chorus.
Beautiful Mamie Ray promised she'd name the day:
She'll not tarry, but soon will marry-cupid has had his way.
Closer than ivy cling, happy as birds in the spring,
You'll then contented sing, beautiful Mamie Ray.