Why didn't Ya Say so Before
Why didn't Ya Say so Before
Air: Jack Hinks
Original Text
John White's Collection of the Songs of Johnny Burke, ed. William J.
Kirwin (St. John's, Newfoundland: Harry Cuff, 1982): 139.
1One night feelin’ gay sure I went to a play,
2Fell in love with a girl in the pit.
3I thought her so nice that I made her me choice,
4And with her sure I made a big hit,
5So in a mad dash I spent all of me cash,
6I’ll see you safe home to your door,
7Says she in a rage--young man I’m engaged,
8 Why didn’t ya say so before.
9 Why didn’t ya say so, why didn’t ya say so,
10 Why didn’t ya say so before,
11 Says he, don’t ya see the blame don’t lay with me,
12 Why didn’t ya say so before.
13So wifey one day she was screamin’ away
14Just because her first born was a boy,
15She was squallin’ and bawlin’ the whole blessed day
16Instead of bein’ dressin’ her boy.
17Says she, dearest Joe, I don’t like boys you know,
18I would rather have girls be the score,
19Says he, don’t ya see the blame don’t lay with me,
20 Why didn’t ya say so before.
21One night nearly mad with the toothache I had
22Sure ‘twas down to Doc Power’s I dropped,
23With the tongs be his side and the pliers he plied,
24And he pulled me four time ‘round his shop.
25Says I when you’re done, you have pulled the wrong one.
26As I in great agony did roar,
27Says he don’t ya see the blame don’t lay with me,
28 Why didn’t ya say so before.
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire / Sharine Leung
RPO Edition
2011
Rhyme
Form