American Old Time Song Lyrics: 35 Which Will You Have My Pretty Maid

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 35

Which Will You Have, My Pretty Maid?
Copyright, 1892, by F. Harding.
Words by W. C. Robey. Music by Wm. Loraine.

I slept on a bank by the side of a stream;
Whilst sleeping I had a most beautiful dream:
An old and a young man came close to my side
And said they were both looking out for a bride;
The old man had money, the young man had none;
I thought and I pondered on what could be done;
My dream seemed as real as the brightness of day-
In fact, I distinctly could hear them both say:

Chorus.
Which will you have, my pretty maid? which is It going to be?
Here is a bag that's filled with love, and this one is golden, you see;
Balance them both in the scale, my girl; what do you mean to dor
Money or love, old or young, which will you have of the two?

I felt so surprised at the sight I beheld.
Though fear from my mind was entirely dispelled,
I looked at the old man and then at the young,
And found I had lost the whole use of my tongue;
I had to choose one, so I married the old;
I bartered my youth in exchange for his gold;
The young man looked sad, I could see he was true;
If you were in my place, now what would you do?- Chorus.

I dreamt we were wed-what a beautiful sight-
But, to my dismay, I discovered ere long
He had but one eye, with a false leg and arm;
I rushed from the room in the greatest alarm.
Said he, you knew well I was withered and old,
Refusing the young man, you married my gold;
I awoke with a start from my vision to scream­I'd rolled down the bank and fell into the stream.- Chorus.