Mary Ann, She’s after me

AKA Mary Anne
First Published 1911
Lyrics Fred Leigh Music Fred Leigh Roud RN5391

Music Hall Performers George Bastow
Fred Leigh
Folk performances Source Singers
Phillips, Cyril 1966 England : Sussex
Fradley, George 1984 England : Derbyshire
Modern performances
Muckram Wakes
Lady Maisery

Oi never thought much about females till, a month or two ago
Oi found there was one of 'em noticing me, my mother told me so
That damsel's name is Mary Ann, she winked at me one day
Oi've told mother, and she's told me in a motherly kind of way.

Mary Ann she's after me,
Full of love she seems to be
My mother says it's plain to see
She wants me for her young man
Feyther says, 'If that be true,
John, my boy, be thankful do
There's one bigger fool in the world than you
That's Mary Ann.'

Whenever Oi see her, she looks at me, I don't know what to do
I tries not to look at her looking at me, my mother told me to
Last Sunday morning coming from church, she said, 'Oi'll walk your way.'
We kept walking, Oi never said nowt, Oi'd a narrow escape that day.

Mary Ann she's after me,
Full of love she seems to be
My mother says it's plain to see
She wants me for her young man
Feyther says, 'If that be true,
John, my boy, be thankful do
There's one bigger fool in the world than you
That's Mary Ann.'

There's many a jolly young chap like me, as might be glad to know
What dangerous animiles some gals is, my mother told me so
We goes about like innercent lambs, we does no harm, Oi'm sure
Up comes summat in frocks and curls, then there's never no peace no more

Mary Ann she's after me,
Full of love she seems to be
My mother says it's plain to see
She wants me for her young man
Feyther says, 'If that be true,
John, my boy, be thankful do
There's one bigger fool in the world than you
That's Mary Ann.'

Another song from George Bastow ‘s “Farmer Giles” repertoire in which we are invited to laugh at rural folk. Also sung in the Halls by its prolific author Fred W Leigh. As so often, the song has been enthusiastically taken up by the very folks it was parodying.

Another example of an early 20th century music Hall song that was still remembered by traditional singers in late 20th century. This 1 has also been taken up by singers of the folk revival, and a very modern version by Lady Maisery is given below. The modern versions seem to be derived from the excellent singing of George Fradley, which is available from most well-known streaming services…

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