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KATY CRUEL

(American folk song; learned from folk-singing parties and songbooks)

(music to go here)

When I first came to town, they called me the roving jewel
Now they've changed their tune, they call me Katy Cruel,
    O diddle lully day, O de little li-o-day!
    Oh that I was where I would be, then would I be where I am not,
    Here am I where I must be, go where I would I dare not.
    O diddle lully day, O de little li-o-day!

When I first came to town, they passed me the bottles plenty,
Now they've changed their tune, they pass me the bottles empty,
    O diddle lully day,...

I know whom I love, and I know who does love me,
I know where I'll go, and I know who'll come with me,
    O diddle lully day,...

Through the woods I'll go, through the boggy mire,
Straightway down the road, till I come to my heart's desire,
    O diddle lully day...

Eyes as bright as coal, lips as red as a cherry,
And 'tis her delight to make the young folks merry,
    O diddle lully day...

(from miriam berg's folksong collection)