A popular song from 1856
Words by George P. Morris
Music by Henry Russell
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Denese Coulbeck:
Lyrics
I’m single yet, I’m single yet
And years have flown since I came out
In vain I sigh, in vain I sigh
Ye gods! ye gods! what what
What are the men about?
I vow I’m twenty, Oh! ye powers
A spinster’s lot is hard to bear
On earth alone to pass her hours
And afterwards lead apes down there
No offer yet, no offer yet
I’m sure, I’m sure I cannot make it out
For every beau my cap I set
What what what what what what
What are the men about
They don’t propose! they won’t propose
For fear perhaps, I’d not say “yes”
I wish they’d try, for heaven knows
I’m tired of single, single blessedness
Not married yet! not married yet!
Heighho! alas! and well-a-day
A hand of snow, an eye of jet
Are all I have, are all I have to give away
They say “she’s pretty, but no chink”
With hand extended thus, they flout
“There’s nothing green in me I think”
Or “does your mother know you’re out”