I Wish They'd Do It Now

Originally an American Pseudo-Irish minstrel show song, this version comes from Bob Davenport, a fine singer in this music hall tradition.


I was born of Geordie parents one day when I was young
That's how the squire learned his will, they gave me native tongue
That I was a pretty baby, my mother she would vow
The girls all ran to kiss me, well I wish they'd do it now:
     Oh, I wish they'd do it now, oh, I wish they'd do it now
     I've got itches in me britches and I wish they'd do it now.

Well when I was only six months old, the girls would handle me
They'd clutch me to their bosoms and they'd bounce me on their knee
They would rock me in the cradle and if I make a row
They'd tickle me, they'd cuddle me, I wish they'd do it now:

At sixteen months as fine a lad as ever could be seen
The girls all liked to follow me right down to the green
They would make a chain of buttercups, drop it on my brow
Then they'd roll me in the clover, well I wish they'd do it now:

Well the East End girls would call for me to swim when it was mild
Down to the river we would go and splash about a while
They'd throw the water over me, duck me like a yow
Then they'd rub me nice all over, oh, I wish they'd do it now:

Well its awful lonely for a lad to live a single life
I think I'll go to the dance tonight and find myself a wife
Oh I have got six bundle pigs, likewise one fat sow
There'll be plenty love and bacon for the girl who'll have me now:
     For the girl who'll have me now, for the girl who'll have me now
     There'll be plenty love and bacon for the girl who'll have me now.


© Golden Hind Music