“Finikin Lass (Finnigan Lasses)”

Description

The singer marries a boarding school bred lady who does nothing but read novels. One day he catches her in the cellar "paying the rent." "I'd rather marry the devil than wed with a boarding school lass." "So beware of the Finnegan lasses"

Notes

For a definition of "finikin," specifically "precise in trifles, idly busy," see TheFreeDictionary site. The word is like current "finicky."

There is also a parody at Bodleian, Harding B 11(1206), "The Finiken Man," J. Pitts (London), 1819-1844 - BS

Broadsides

  • Bodleian, Harding B 11(1205), "The Finical Lass," W. Stephenson (Gateshead), 1821-1838; also Harding B 25(652), "The Finical Lass"; Firth c.20(5), "Finikin Lasses"; Johnson Ballads 827, "The Finiken Lass"

References

  1. Peacock, pp. 269-271, "Finnigan Lasses" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. Roud #2382
  3. BI, Pea269

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: before 1839 (broadside, Bodleian Harding B 11(1205))
Found in: Canada(Newf)