Also know as "The Shoemaker's Kiss," this song was collected by H. E. D. Hammond in Dorset, in 1906. It was printed on a broadside (penny song sheet) more than 50 years before that. The shoemaker's kiss is equivalent to Young Rambleaway's attentions to Nancy - at least the wrench of this tale knew where her deceiver was to be found.
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There was an old lady who lived in the West
So green as the leaves they are green, green, green, green
So green as the leaves they are green
And she had a fine daughter that never was kissed
And you know very well what I mean, mean, mean, mean,
You know very well what I mean.
Now one morn she rose and she put on her clothes
And away to the shoemaker's shop she did go:
Shoemaker, shoemaker, have you got any shoes?
Oh yes, my fair creature, I think I'll fit you.
So into the shoemaker's shop she did trip
My God! How he caught her and he kissed her sweet lips:
When forty long weeks they was over and done
This pretty fair maid had a fine, bonny son.
Oh daughter, oh daughter, how came you by this?
Oh mother, dear mother, 'twas the shoemaker's kiss.
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