“Go Away Sister Nancy”

Description

"Go 'way! Sister Nancy, go 'way! I don't want you to hold me. Got sugar and 'lasses in my soul, And I want brother Honeycutt to hold me!"

Notes

Reportedly the cry of an ecstatic in church. In Pentecostal sorts of denominations, shouting during a service is common, and in this denomination, it was usual for a neighbor to hold onto the shouter. Reportedly this woman wanted the handsome Brother Honeycutt to assume that duty rather than the female Sister Nancy. - RBW

References

  1. Scarborough-SongCatcher, p. 74, "(Go Away Sister Nancy)" (1 short text; tune on p. 386)
  2. Roud #8811
  3. BI, ScSC074A

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1937 (Scarborough)
Keywords: religious nonballad
Found in: US(SE)