A song for Sadie and Noel (who was a
Merchant Seaman when he was young). Lots of folk wisdom in
this song. For instance, ladies . . if you put the herb,
mullein, in your shoe, you'll surely snag yourself a good
man. And have lots of children. Worked for Sadie. She
snagged Noel. They had nine kids.
1. Irises in a vase . . Blue paper on the walls . .
The new bride's come home today.
And there's rhubarb by the cellar.
2. June roses by the door . . Suitcases in the hall.
And she put mullein in her shoe . .
and catched herself a sailor!
CHORUS . .
And OH, the years . . they slip away.
And OH, the time goes swiftly by.
And the farther the branch grows from the root . .
the closer to the sky.
3. And OH, her first born is a son.
She chews on dill to bring the milk.
Her sailor brings her jasmine soap
and a little bunch of heather.
4. NOW . . there's children spilling out the door!
Wedgewood broken . . cup by cup!
Dreams dissolve like old ships' rope . .
but there'll be time for others.
CHO.
5. Old photos tucked away . .
like a drawerful of old bones.
The ravelly threads from her wedding dress
have rooted by the cellar.
6. That old sailorman, at night
picks his teeth with a herringbone.
And she put mullein in her shoe . .
and catched herself a sailor!
CHO.
![[Jan]](/images/sig.gif)