Musical Map of Newfoundland and Labrador

This Newfoundland song has been recorded by the English folk singer Ian Robb and the late Canadian singer Stan Rogers, who called it an example of "punk folk." It is an inversion of the traditional female lament (found in, for example, "The Pride of the Season") that men want nothing further to do with their sexual conquests: here he asks over and over for the hand of his better-born girlfriend. But she holds out for someone better than he. The tables are turned when she realizes she is pregnant and he refuses her.

OH NO, NOT I - Traditional

A Newfoundland sailor went walking on the strand,
He spied a pretty, fair young maid and took her by the hand.
"Oh will you go to Newfoundland along with me?" he cried;
But the answer that she gave to him was, "Oh no, not I."

"If I were to marry you, on me 'twould be the blame;
Your friends and relations would scorn me to shame.
If you were born of noble blood and me of low degree,
Do you think that I would many you? It's oh no, not me."

Six months being over and seven coming nigh,
This pretty fair young maiden she began to look so shy;
Her corsets would not meet and her apron would not tie,
Made her think on all the times when she said, "Oh no not I.”

Eight months being over and nine coming on,
This pretty fair young maiden she brought forth a son;
She wrote a letter to her love to come most speedily,
But the answer that he gave to her was, "Oh no, not me."

He said, "My pretty fair maid, the best thing you can do,
Is take your child upon your back and a-begging you may go,
And It's when that you get tired you can sit you down to cry,
And think on all the times when you said, "Oh no, not I.”

So come all you pretty fair maids, a warning take by me,
Don't ever put your trust in the green willow tree;
For the leaves they will wither and the root it will die
Make you think on all the times when you said, "Oh no, not I.”