{"id":27624,"date":"2025-06-28T06:27:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-28T06:27:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/?page_id=27624"},"modified":"2025-07-01T10:12:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T10:12:44","slug":"courting-in-the-rain","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/index.php\/courting-in-the-rain\/","title":{"rendered":"Courting in the rain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
AKA<\/strong><\/td>April Showers
<\/td><\/tr>
First Published<\/td>1869<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Writer\/composer<\/td>Vincent Davies<\/td>Roud<\/strong><\/td>RN7873<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Music Hall Performers<\/strong><\/td>Ernest Robson, Jolly Little Lewis<\/td><\/tr>
Folk performances<\/strong><\/td>Collected from the singing of:<\/strong>
Mainer, Wade ; USA N Carolina ; 1947
Carolina Tar Heels ; USA N Carolina ; 1965
Modern performances<\/strong>:
T Texas Tyler (1954), George Jones, Arlie Duff, Jim Reeves<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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One April morn, when walking down a quiet country lane
I overtook a fair young girl whilst hurrying through the rain.
I asked her if she would accept my arm and take a share
Of my umbrella. Thanks, kind sir, I will, replied the fair.

[SPOKEN]: On with golden locks, by Jove, and without one of these useful articles (holding up umbrella). When she popped her little arm in mine my heart beat in that degree it nearly dislocated my ribs (of the umbrella I mean!) It's a fact, I thought to myself here's a chance to go...[Chorus]

Courting in the rain, courting in the rain,
I never regret the day I met my charmer in the lane.
Courting in the rain, courting in the rain,
Twas sweeter far than moon or star,
Whilst courting Mary Jane.<\/em>

The rain poured down alarmingly
When to a tree we came
And shelter took beneath it
There I quickly learnt her name.
She also told me where she lived
With Pa down at the farm.
A farmer's daughter, well, said I,
That is an extra charm.

[SPOKEN]: I glory in country life, and a farmer's daughter, what could be better? I wished the rain would keep on as I rather liked...[Chorus]

At length the rain abated,
And the sun shone out quite bright.
The little birds began to sing,
My heart it felt so light.
I gently press'd her arm in mine,
And said, now don't say \"nay,\"
But let me come and meet you here
Again some other day.

[SPOKEN]: Well, she said, I can't exactly decide, you must ask my Pa, so I made up my mind to go and inform the old Gentleman we'd been...[Chorus]

We reached the old farm house, and then
She introduced to me
Her Pa, a jolly old nice old boy,
With him I made quite free.
I told him when and where I'd met
His daughter in the rain,V58170
And bless'd the lucky chance that took
Me down that country lane.

[SPOKEN]: The old Gntleman was quite delighted with my kind attention, and I soon gained his consent, which proves the truth of the old proverb--\"It never rains but it pours,\" and so it occurred to me, though, [Chorus]<\/pre>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
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A song with words and music by the prolific Vincent Davies<\/a>, first performed in the British Halls in 1869 by comedian Ernest Robson. It was also performed a couple of years later by  comedian Arthur St Vincent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
The Era – Sunday 12 December 1869<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
It was sung in Australia in 1872 (The Prahran Telegraph 17 Aug 1872) <\/a> and was particularly popular in America, where it started to be sung in vaudeville in around 1873 see for example New York Daily Herald, 25 Jan 1873<\/a>. It famously featured in the repertoire of Jennie Engel, the Lydia Thompson Troupe and Jennie Worrell.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
The song became popular amongst Bluegrass and country singers in the 2nd half of the 20th Century, including T Texas Tyler, George Jones, Arlie Duff and Jim Reeves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Carolina Tar Heels sing a version:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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