Cat. #0170 (MFH #729) - As sung by Mr. Fred Smith, Bentonville, Arkansas on June 23, 1958
VERSE 1
My Grandmother lived in little yonder green
Finest old lady as ever ya seen
But she oft times cautioned me with care
Of all false young men to beware
Tommy-i, tommy-a
Tommy-up-a-tee
Of all false young men to beware
VERSE 2
Th first come a courtin', was little Johnny Green
Fine a young fellow as ever you seen
But th words of my Grandmother run thru my head
I did'nt get to hear one word that he said
Tommy-a, tommy-i
Tommy-up-a-tee
I did'nt get to hear one word that he said
VERSE 3
Th next come a courtin', was young Galisous Ford
And there we met with a joyous love
Yes, a joyous love, ya need'nt be afraid
Better to get married than to die an old maid
Tommy-i, tommy-a
Tommy-up-a-tee
Better to get married than to die an old maid
VERSE 4
Seems, I to myself, there must be some mistake
All th fuss that the old folks make
If the girls and th boys had always been fatigued
Grandma herself, would have died an old maid
Tommy-i, tommy-a
Tommy-up-a-tee
Grandma herself, would have died an old maid
Prof. Mary C. Parler, University of Arkansas, says all young girls should learn this song.