“The Scolding Wife (I)”

Description

"I married me a scolding wife Some forty years ago And ever since I've led a life Of misery and woe." The abused husband details the various ways his wife chastises, injures, and neglects him

Notes

The notes in Henry/Huntington/Herrmann observe that this has the same subject and metrical pattern as "The Scolding Wife (IV)." But there seem to be no common lyrics at all; I (hesitantly) declare them separate. The chorus of this song runs something like

For she worries (or "hurries") me, she flurries me,

It is her heart's delight

To warm me with the fire-shovel

Round the room at night (or "in the middle of the night"). - RBW

Cross references

  • cf. "The Scolding Wife (IV)" (subject)

Recordings

  • Margaret MacArthur, "The Scolding Wife" (on MMacArthur01)

References

  1. Randolph 397, "The Scolding Wife" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. Kennedy 214, "The Scolding Wife" (1 text, 1 tune)
  3. Beck 80, "My Scolding Wife" (1 text)
  4. Gardner/Chickering 179, "A Scolding Wife" (1 short text plus mention of 1 more)
  5. Roud #2132
  6. BI, R397

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1931 (Gardner/Chickering)
Found in: Britain(England(South)) US(MW,NE,So)