Play recording: Johnny, Will you Marry Me?
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- Teideal (Title): Johnny, Will you Marry Me?
- Uimhir Chatalóige Ollscoil Washington (University of Washington Catalogue Number): 840119.
- Uimhir Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann (National Folklore of Ireland Number): none.
- Uimhir Roud (Roud Number): 34585.
- Uimhir Laws (Laws Number): none.
- Uimhir Child (Child Number): none.
- Cnuasach (Collection): Joe Heaney Collection, University of Washington, Seattle.
- Teanga na Croímhíre (Core-Item Language): English.
- Catagóir (Category): song.
- Ainm an té a thug (Name of Informant): Joe Heaney.
- Ainm an té a thóg (Name of Collector): unavailable.
- Dáta an taifeadta (Recording Date): 24/01/1984.
- Suíomh an taifeadta (Recording Location): University of Washington, United States of America.
- Ocáid an taifeadta (Recording Occasion): evening class.
- Daoine eile a bhí i láthair (Others present): unavailable.
- Stádas chóipcheart an taifeadta (Recording copyright status): unavailable.
Well you see, I have a song too about a shotgun wedding. You know what that is? Oh, they did happen, too, you know. But they did happen after an awful lot of arguments, you know… I think you’ll find this song, that relates to it, that the girl came to the fellow who was responsible for what she was carrying in her arms – but he didn’t know anything about it! And she- He was standing behind the door, and she came outside the door, and she had this in her arms. And she started something like this. And she was, in a way, she was enjoying every minute of it, as the song will tell you. For she said:
Johnny, will you marry me, marry me, marry me?
Johnny, will you marry me, and take me out of danger?
Diddly eyedle dyedle um, diddly eyedle dyedle um
Diddly eyedle dyedle um, diddly eyedle day-rum.
How can I marry you, marry you, marry you?
How can I marry you, I haven’t got a farthing.
Chorus
[The girl used to lilt like that when he’d say that.]
Why didn’t you tell me that, tell me that, tell me that?
Why didn’t you tell me that, before you did the harm?
Chorus
What harm did I do, did I do, did I do?
What harm did I do, but roll you in my arms?
Chorus
Oh, you did more than that, more than that, more than that
Oh, you did more than that, I have him in me arms!
Chorus
Nobody knows what he said to that – but there’s a strong rumour that he was forced to marry her!