> Tim Hart and Friends > Songs > Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be?

Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be?

[ Roud 1279 ; Ballad Index FSWB150B ; trad.]

Maggie Goodall sang What Can the Matter Be? in 1984 on Martyn Wyndham-Read et al.’s Greenwich Village album The Old Songs.

Tim Hart and Maddy Prior sang Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be? in 1981 on Tim Hart and Friends’ album My Very Favourite Nursery Rhyme Record. This track was later included on their compilation CD Favourite Nursery Rhymes and Other Children’s Songs.

Lyrics

Tim Hart and Maddy Prior sing Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be?

Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Dear dear, what can the matter be?
Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Johnny’s so long at the fair.

He promised he’d bring me a fairing to please me
And then for a kiss, oh, he vowed he would tease me.
He promised to bring me a bunch of blue ribbons
To tie up my bonny brown hair.

Oh dear, What can the matter be?
Dear, dear, what can the matter be?
Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Johnny’s so long at the fair.

He promised he’d bring me a basket of poses,
A garland of lilies, a garland of roses,
A little straw hat to set off the blue ribbons
That tie up my bonny brown hair.

Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Dear dear, what can the matter be?
Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Johnny’s so long at the fair.