Home, Gathering & Lullabies songbook
Say Darlin' Say
Traditional · The Edith & Bennett Album, 2011
Lyrics
Say, little girl, will you marry me?
We'll get married 'neath the old oak tree
Say darlin' say
'Neath the old oak tree, we'll build our home
Never no more in this world to roam
Say darlin' say
Hush, little baby, don't say a word
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
Say darlin' say
If that mockingbird don't sing
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
Say darlin' say
If that diamond ring turns brass
Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass
Say darlin' say
If that looking glass gets broke
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat
Say darlin' say
If that billy goat won't go
Papa's gonna buy you a cart and mule
Say darlin' say
If that cart and mule falls down
Still the sweetest little thing in town
Say darlin' say
Say, little girl, if you'd be mine
All I'd do is starch and iron
Say darlin' say
Starch and iron’ll be your trade
And we'll get drunk and lay in the shade
Say darlin' say
Say, little girl, will you marry me?
We'll get married beneath the old oak tree
Say darlin' say
'Neath the old oak tree, we'll build our home
Never no more in this world to roam
Say darlin' say
Notes
Writer: Traditional
Players: Edith Gawler, Bennett Konesni
Recorded 2011
The Story
“Say Darlin’ Say” is a classic American lullaby, with one of those irresistible refrains that makes it easy to get a whole room singing. Edith and I played it onstage with surprising energy - more rollicking old-time than bedtime music. I suppose you could sing it very gently, but we loved the contrast between the lullaby words and the drive of the tune.