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Jemima Brown

[ Roud 1776 ; Mudcat 129675 ; Harry Clifton]

Walter Pardon of Knapton, Norfolk, sang Naughty Jemima Brown to Mike Yates on 26 October 1979. This recording was included in 1983 on Pardon’s Home-Made Music album Bright Golden Store and in 2000 on his Musical Traditions anthology Put a Bit of Powder on It, Father. Mike Yates noted:

The song Jemima Brown appeared in a number of late 19^th century music hall song books, and it was also printed on a broadside by the Dublin printer P. Brereton, who titled the piece, “A New Song Call’d Brother Bill and Jamima Brow”. Unlike Walter’s set, which mentions ‘the Brighton line’ and ‘Camden Town’, the Irish versions are all firmly located in Dublin.

Gordon Halls sang Gemmima Brown on his privately produced cassette set from the 1990s, Warts & Hall.

Lyrics

Walter Pardon sings Naughty Jemima Brown

’Twas at the railway station
Upon the Brighton line
I first met my Jemima –
Why should I call her mine?
He eyes were bright, her hair was light
Her dress a morning gown
A travelling box stood by her side
Upon it: ‘Jemima Brown’.

Chorus (after each verse):
I used to take her everywhere
To all the sights in Town
And then she left me in despair
Did naughty Jemima brown.

At the babylinen [builders ?]
In the Burlington Arcade
I next saw Miss Jemima
As by the shop I strayed.
She looked a Queen of her sewing machine
And I spent many a crown
On collars and straps and baby’s caps
To gaze on Jemima Brown.

I sought an introduction
Obtained it - all was right.
At eight o’clock I’d meet her
And walk home every night
To seal our love I bought her gloves,
To the creamery we went down,
Took tea and shrimps, drank bitter beer
And waltzed with Jemima Brown.

I flew one night to meet her
The weather, yet, was warm
I saw her friendly leaning
On a nice young feller’s arm.
Against my will I felt quite ill
Enquiring with a frown
“Who’s that?” “It’s only brother Bill”,
Said naughty Jemima Brown.

“I want to ask a favour
I hope you won’t be cross
Or think it bad behaviour,
But Father had a loss.
Could you kindly lend us fifty pounds?
My brother he’ll be bound.”
Of course I would, could I refuse
My life to Jemima Brown?

From that very day I missed her,
Though she said she’d be my bride.
From Kennington to Chester
I sought her far and wide.
Years after that, when passing by
A shop in Camden Town
Midst heaps of greens and kidney beans
There stood Jemima Brown.

She was weighing out potatoes,
Throwing coppers in the till
Three lovely children by her side
The image of brother Bill
Her broken vow, I see it now,
But not my fifty pounds.
The shop was bought, and I was sold
By naughty Jemima Brown.