“I Am a Pretty Wench”

Description

"I am a pretty wench, And I come a great way hence, And sweethearts I can get none: But every dirty sow Can get sweethearts enow, And I, pretty wench, can get never a one."

References

  1. Opie-Oxford2 525, "I am a pretty wench" (1 text)
  2. Baring-Gould-MotherGoose #82, p. 84, "(I am a pretty wench)"
  3. cf. Vaughan Williams/Lloyd, p. 84, "The Ploughman" (1 text, 1 tune, not this song as printed, but the notes reveal that the informant's version began with a verse of this)
  4. Roud #2538
  5. BI, BGMG082

About

Alternate titles: “The Condescencing Lass”; “Pretty Wench”
Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1784 (Gammer Gurton's Garland)
Keywords: oldmaid