You Don't Know How The Dear Girl Is Made

The reception just now 'tis the style all around,
And 'tis practiced in all shades of light,
But be careful my boys and mind what you're about,
When the time comes to pick out a wife;
For their ways may be loving, their smiles may be sweet,
When you look towards them they're timid and afraid,
But be careful now, look well before making the leap,
You don't know how the dear girl is made.

In the good time ago, in my grandmother's time,
When the girls didn't enamel no paint,
Didn't wear palpitators their bosoms to swell,
Nor lace themselves up till they'd faint;
Didn't wear patent clasps nor the close bloom of youth,
Or the rose on their cheeks didn't paint,
You'd want to know a girl well before making the leap,
You don't know how the dear girl is made.

The girls long ago didn't pencil their brow,
Nor use cotton to make their skin fair,
The girls long ago combed the hair on their head,
But now they'll comb it back on a chair;
For their ways may be loving their smiles may be sweet,
When you look towards them they're timid and afraid,
Be careful, look well before making the leap,
You don't know how the dear girl is made.

I have got more to tell you and I'll see you alone,
I have said too much here I'm afraid;
But before you get married examine them well,
For they're fearful and awfully made.

####.... Author unknown. Said to be a possible variant of an Irish stage song ....####

Sung by Jim Rice (1879-1958) of Cape Broyle, NL, and published in MacEdward Leach And The Songs Of Atlantic Canada © 2004 Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore and Language Archive (MUNFLA).