American Old Time Song Lyrics: 48 Mary And Moses

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 48

MARY AND MOSES.
Copyright, 1895, by Frank Harding.
Written and-Composed by Alice M. Reynolds.

Fair Mary was a Quaker, a Quaker maid was she;
Young Moses loved this Mary, he loved her verily;
Six times he asked to marry, yea three times two times three:
She wouldn't say yea, though he begged her each day, and this is what he did say:

Chorus.
Mary, Mary, don't be contrary, wilt thou my dear wife be?
Thou never shalt rue, I'll ever be true if thou wilt marry me.

Now Mary was Eve's daughter, and full of vanity;
Says she, "I'll try and see if he doth truly lovetn me;
So said she thus, "Now, Moses dear, if I should marry thee,
Wouldst give me my way, And ne'er say to me nay, and this is what he did say:

Chorus.
Mary, Mary, I'm ne'er contrary, wilt thou my dear wife be?
Say yea, I implore; I'll ever adore if thou wilt marry me.

Now, Moses dear, said Mary, this garb which thou dost see
Doth not enhance my charms at all, it ill becometh me;
Wouldeth thou object if I did don gowns of society;
Oh, say, Moses, may I wear decollette, and this is what he did say:

Chorus.
Mary, Mary, don't be unwary, I fain would see thee dressed
Just simple and neat, just plain, dear, And sweet, 'twill be, by far, the best.

Oh! Moses dear, said Mary, you're such an icicle;
I've set my heart on learning to ride a bicycle;
Wouldst thou object if I did wear the pants just to the knee;
Oh, what wouldst thou say now, do answer me, pray, and this is what be did say:

Chorus.
Mary, Mary, listen, prithee, 'tis but a sorry whim;
No man in the place would e'er see thy face, forsooth they'd see thy limb.

Now, Moses dear, said Mary, a prude I can't endure;
I would he gay and airy, of this thee can be sure:
What wouldst thou do if I did pose as a living picture?
Oh, turn not away, but do answer me, pray, and this is what he did say:

Chorus.
Mary, Mary, I will not marry, with thee I'd be forlorn;
No man in the place would e'er know thy face, they'd truly know thy form.