Ach Dunno an Irish Mother

I’m simply surrounded by lovers,
Since Da made his fortune in land;
They’re comin’ in crowds like the plovers
To ax for me hand.
There’s clerks and policemen and teachers,
Some sandy, some black as a crow;
Ma says ye get used to the creatures,
But, ach, I dunno!

The convent is in a commotion
To think of me taking a spouse,
And they wonder I hadn’t the notion
Of taking the vows.
‘Tis a beautiful life and a quiet,
And keeps ye from going below,
As a girl I thought I might try it,
But, ach I dunno!

I’ve none but meself to look after,
An’ marriage it fills me with fears,
I think I’d have less of the laughter
And more of the tears.
I’ll not be a slave like me mother,
With six of us all in a row,
Even one little baby’s a bother,
But, ach, I dunno!

There’s a lad that has taken me fancy,
I know he’s a right bit of limb,
And though marriage is terrible Clancy,
I’d-chance it with him.
He’s coming to-night –oh- I tingle,
From the top of me head to me toe,
I’ll tell him I’d rather live single,
But, ach, I dunno!

By kind permission of Messrs, Pigott & Co., Ltd.

Prose, Poems & Parodies of Percy French, 1980, Helicon Limited, Dublin.