“Mary Mack (I)”
Description
"Oh Mary Mack, Mack, Mack, All dressed in black, black, black...." The singer speaks of love, and engages in a series of unprofitable transactions. Much of the song consists of floating verses, e.g. "I went to the river... And I couldn't get across."
Notes
Not to be confused with the music hall song of the same title, which involves what sounds to be a shotgun wedding. - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "The Swapping Boy" (plot)
- cf. "Turkey in the Straw" (floating lyrics)
- cf. "Went to the River (I)" (floating lyrics)
Recordings
- Hunter children "Miss Mary Mack" (on JohnsIsland1)
- Children of Lilly's Chapel School, "Mary Mack" (on NFMAla6, RingGames1)
References
- Courlander-NFM, pp. 158-159, "(Mary Mack)" (1 text); p. 279, "Mary Mack" (1 tune, partial text)
- Roud #11498
- BI, CNFM158B