KATY CRUEL
(American folk song; learned from folk-singing parties and songbooks)
When I first came to town, they called me the roving jewel
When I first came to town, they passed me the bottles plenty,
I know whom I love, and I know who does love me,
Through the woods I'll go, through the boggy mire,
Eyes as bright as coal, lips as red as a cherry,
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)
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!
Now they've changed their tune, they pass me the bottles empty,
O diddle lully day,...
I know where I'll go, and I know who'll come with me,
O diddle lully day,...
Straightway down the road, till I come to my heart's desire,
O diddle lully day...
And 'tis her delight to make the young folks merry,
O diddle lully day...