A comic ballad from 1857
Words and music by Septimus Winner
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Fred Feild:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
- How strange are the ways of the world, only think
Of the mortals that people its shores
The women that eat, and the men who will drink
And the backs to be clothed by the stores
With plenty to eat, to drink and to spend
Its mortals might never despair
Were it not for the sigh that is heard to ascend
When we find we have nothing to wear, to wear
When we find we have nothing to wear
2. Miss Clara was truly as charming a maid
As ever my heart could desire
I sought for her hand on a short promenade
For I knew of her gaudy attire
I knew of her ribbons and dresses the best
Her moments too many to spare
But she would not comply to my simple request
For she said she had nothing to wear, to wear
For she said she had nothing to wear
3. And such is the case with Matilda and Jane
With Mary and Nancy and all
Tho’ plenty of satins, of laces, delaine
Not a dress for the concert or ball
Oh would I could find ‘neath the hoops of a skirt
A woman that would not declare
With a shrug of the shoulders in answer expert
That she really has “nothing to wear”, to wear
That she really has “nothing to wear”
Sung here by Vancha March: