Digital Tradition Mirror

The World Turned Upside Down (Derry Down)

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The World Turned Upside Down (Derry Down)

Goody Bull and her daughter together fell out,
Both squabbled and wrangled and made a great rout!
But the cause of the quarrel remains to be told
Then lend both your ears and a tale I'll unfold.
     Derry down, down. Hey derry down
Then lend both your ears and a tale I'll unfold.

The old lady, it seems, took a freak in her head
That her daughter, grown woman, might earn her own bread;
Self-applauding her scheme, she was ready to dance
But we're often too sanguine in what we advance.
     Derry down, down. Hey derry down
But we're often too sanguine in what we advance.

For mark the event---thus for fortune we're crossed
Nor should people reckon without their good host.
The daughter was sulky and wouldn't come to
And pray what in this case could the old woman do?
     Derry down, down. Hey derry down
And pray what in this case could the old woman do?

"Zounds! Neighbor," quoth Pitt. What the devil's the matter?
A man cannot rest in your home for your chatter."
"Alas!" cries the daughter, "here's dainty fine work
The old woman grows harder than Jew or than Turk!"
     Derry down, down. Hey derry down
The old woman grows harder than Jew or than Turk!"

"She be damned!" says the farmer, and to her he goes,
First roars in her ears, then tweaks her old nose;
"Hello Goody, what ails you? Wake, woman I say,
I am come to make peace in this desperate fray."
     Derry down, down. Hey derry down
"I am come to make peace in this desperate fray."

"Alas!" cries the old woman, "And must I comply?
But I'd rather submit than the hussy should die!"
"Pooh, prithee, be quiet, be friends and agree
You must surely be right if you're guided by me."
     Derry down, down. Hey derry down
You must surely be right if you're guided by me."

From The Early American Songbook, Vinson.
A parody of the older World Turned Upside Down. Published in
   Gentleman's Magazine (London) in 1767
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!