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Title
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Oyster girl
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Singer
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Iles, Elijah
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Notes
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Note 1
Williams, Alfred: Ms: As this is the only version of the song in the archive I have attributed it to Iles.
Williams, Alfred: RAUT: There are brief references to this song being sung by Iles in both sources.
Note 2
In Verse 1 Lines 3 and 4 the original text was:
And into her basket so mildly I did peep
And asked her how she sold her oysters.
In Verse 2 Lines 1 & 2 the original text was:
'Oh, oysters! Oh, oysters!' then said she,
I have the finest oysters you ever did see.
In Verse 3 Lines 2 & 3 the original text was:
'Have you got a private room for the oyster girl and me,
Where we may go in and so merry, merry be
In Verse 4 Line 3 the original text was:
Oh yes! You may go in and merry, merry be
In Verse 5 Line 1 the original text was:
We'd not been in the room but a moment, I swear
In Verse 6 Lines 1 & 2 the original text was:
'Oh, Landlord! Oh,, Landlord! I pray did you see
The pretty little oyster girl come in with me?
In Verse 7 Line 3 & 4 the original text was:
'Oh yes! And she has paid and thou cans't go free
And travel with the basket of oysters
In Verse 8 Line 2 the original text was:
But never in my life was I led such a dance
Verses 4 and 7 originally comprised two lines each and these have been amended at a later date in red ink, Williams' usual editorial method.
Transcribed and edited by Chris Wildridge, 2011.
