Digital Tradition Mirror

Reuben and Rachel

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Reuben and Rachel
(Harry Birch)

Reuben, Reuben, I've been thinking
What a queer world this would be
If the men were all transported
Far beyond the Northern Sea!
Rachel, Rachel, I've been thinking
What a queer world this would be
If the girls were all transported
Far beyond the Northern Sea!

cho: Too-ral-loo-ral-loo, Too-ral-loo-ral,
     Too-ral-loo-ral-loo, Too-ral-lee
     Far beyond the Northern Sea! (repeats last line of verse)

Reuben, Reuben, I've been thinking
Life would be so easy then;
What a lovely world this would be
If there were no tiresome men!
Rachel, Rachel, I've been thinking
Life would be so easy then;
What a lovely world this would be
If you'd leave it to the men!

Reuben, Reuben, I've been thinking
If we went beyond the seas,
All the men would follow after
Like a swarm of bumble-bees!
Rachel, Rachel, I've been thinking
If we went beyond the seas,
All the girls would follow after
Like a swarm of honey-bees!

Note: The chorus is often omitted, particularly in parodies
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!