Courting Too Slow

It was on one Monday morning and oh and it was soon

I bought my pretty Betty a pair of new shoes

A pair of new shoes and slippers also

But I lost my pretty Betty by courting too slow

I lost my pretty Betty by courting too slow

I bought my pretty Betty a garland of green

And ribbons that you wear so fair to be seen

And rings for her fingers all made of glitt'ring gold

But I lost my pretty Betty by not being bold

I lost my pretty Betty by not being bold

It was on one Tuesday evening and oh and it was late

I fain would have kissed her but I was too straight

I was thinking how to gain her consent to be true

But I lost my pretty Betty by courting too slow

I lost my pretty Betty by courting too slow

For in there come a sailor all in his tarry shoes

He went into the chamber where my true love was

He kissed her and he flattered her, he flattered her so

He fair won the day by my courting too slow

He fair won the day by my courting too slow

So come all you bold fellows and pray take my advice

And when you go a-courting now don't you be too nice

But you kiss all them pretty girls and you let them for to know

That you don't mean to lose them by courting too slow

That you don't mean to lose them by courting too slow