American Old Time Song Lyrics: 37 Id Rather Not

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 37

I'd rather not
Written by Nemo. Composed by Henry Pontet.

I'd rather not, I'd rather not,
You plead for more than I can plight, so press me not;
A maiden free I fain would he,
'Tis all my heart's delight, 'tis all my heart's delight.

O maiden fair, with deep despair
You fill my trusting heart, you fill my trusting heart;
Your accents soft have told me oft
That you'd be mine, ne'er more to part-that you'd be mine, ne'er more to part.

I may have vowed to love you forever and a day.
But when I made that vow I quite forgot
That if a maid doth wed she also must obey;
No, thank you, sir-excuse me, sir-on second thoughts I'd rather not.

You'll think again! you'll love again!
Tou'll crave the heart you have betrayed-you have betrayed!
But hark to me! you'll surely be
A sad And cross old maid-a sad and cross old maid!

Oh, say not so! oh, do not go!
Such fate shall ne'er he mine-such fate shall ne'er be mine.
Oh, pray relent! I do repent!
Just ask once more and I'll be thine-just ask once more and I'll he thine.

I'll vow again to love you forever and a day.
And trust my willful ways you've quite forgot;
Your ev'ry wish and word" I'll honor and obey;
Old maid forsooth! not I in truth-on second thoughts, I'd rather not!