A Boy Without a Girl

Strawberries. Ripe Strawberries

As I was going to Strawberry Fair

Singing, singing, butter-cups and Daisies

I met a maiden selling her wares

Fol-de-dee!

Her eyes were blue and she was fair

And she rode on a donkey to Strawberry Fair

Ri-fol, Ri-fol, Tol-de-riddle-li-do

Ri-fol, Ri-fol, Tol-de-riddle-dee

"Would you like to pick from my basket!" she said

Singing, singing, butter-cups and Daisies

"My cherries ripe, or my roses red"

Fol-de-dee!

You can take a handful, I don't care

As I go on to Strawbеrry Fair."

Ri-fol, Ri-fol, Tol-de-riddle-li-do

Ri-fol, Ri-fol, Tol-de-riddlе-dee

So I said to this bird

Your cherries soon will go mouldy and bad

Singing, singing buttercups and wotsits

Your roses wither and look all sad

Fol-de-dee

Now it's not to buy such perishing ware

That I am slogging it to Strawberry Fair

Oh, Ri-fol, Ri-fol, come and get an earful

Ri-fol, Ri-fol, Tol-de-riddle-dee

I told her straight

I want a girl with a generous heart

Singing, singing, butter-cups and Oojahs

Without a tongue that is wicked or smart

Fol-de-dee!

And an honest mind, but these are rare

I doubt if I'll find them at this crummy old fair

Ri-fol, Ri-fol, Tol-de-riddle-li-do

Ri-fol, well, you know the rest, don't you

So I put it to her straight

Now in return for these virtues, I swear

Knees up, knees up, come and have a knees up

I'll give you a ring for your finger my dear

Fol-de-dee!

So make me your partner and give me a share

In church today at Strawberry Fair

Now, Ri-fol, Ri-fol, Tol-de-riddle-li-do

Ri-fol, Ri-fol

Strawberries. Shan't be round tomorrow

The donkey's pinched all the strawberries

Hee-hee-hee-hee