Valentine Ditties For Lovers
Sweethearts have written letters and poems to each other as far back as we can track. For most of us, it would be very hard to associate a bowl of soupy butter beans with love, but some anonymous Romeo saw a correlation with his sweet Louise and was inspired to write this little ditty. The poem can be sung to the tune of the old hymn, “Just a Closer Walk With Thee.” But be forewarned that the next time the preacher calls for this hymn, you might be thinking about butter beans, and you’ll smile to yourself.
A Bowl of Butter Beans
Just a bowl of butter beans;
Pass the cornbread, if you please.
I don’t want no turnip greens;
All I want is a bowl of butter beans.
I work hard both day and night;
I don’t like to start a fight.
But I tell you I just might,
If you touch my bowl of butter beans.
I’m not hard at all to please;
You just ask my sweet Louise.
All I ask is this you see;
One more bowl of soupy butter beans.
My sweetheart is oh so fine;
She is like no other kind.
When we kiss I let off steam;
It’s just like slurping soupy butter beans.
Years ago when friends signed another’s autograph book or school yearbook, they would include a short poem, particularly if there were special feelings between the two. Following are some examples of those love poems from days gone by.
Pigs love cabbage.
Pigs love squash.
I love Betty,
I do, by gosh!
Remember the black bird,
Remember the dove,
Remember the night we fell in love.
Apples are red,
Peaches are green
You’re the darlingest girl,
I’ve ever seen.
Here’s to the one I love,
And may that one be thee.
Who loves one and only one,
And may that one be me.
Darling I love you,
Darling I do.
Darling believe me,
For this is all true.
I love Jimmy,
Yes, I does,
He is my choice and always wuz. (Jimmy and Elizabeth traded the same poems.)
I love ‘Lizabeth
Yes, I does,
She is my choice and always wuz.
Jim loves one, Pete loves two.
I love one and that one’s you.
I love you little,
I love you big,
I love you like a little pig.
I don’t pretend to be a poet,
But I sho’ love you and I know it.
Crackers are dry without cheese,
So is a kiss without a squeeze.
If you love me like I love you,
No knife can cut our love in two.
A certain nice person called YOU,
Has a friend who’s in doubt what to do.
For there isn’t room here, That’s true.
To express half the cheer,
In the friend’s Valentine wish for you.
Time ain’t nothing,
Cash ain’t nothing,
Life ain’t nothing,
Friends ain’t nothing.
There ain’t nothing ‘cept you.
Rocks and hill may divide us,
And we may be far apart,
Others may have my company,
But you dear have my heart.
Remember me now,
Remember me ever.
Remember the fun we had together.
Columbus discovered America in 1492,
But I discovered something more wonderful,
When I discovered you.
Your hair is made to curl,
Your cheeks are made to blush.
Your eyes are made to flirt,
Your lips are made to say, “Oh Hush!”
I can truly say the pleasures I have had are but few,
The happiest hour I ever spent, I spent it dear with you.
When I saw your smiling face and heard your loving voice,
I turned all other boys aside and took you for my choice.
He kissed me and I know ’twas wrong,
For we were neither kith nor kin.
But need a body to penance so long,
For such a little tiny sin?
All these ditties have given this columnist a bit of courage to try one of his own, not as a budding career, but to bring all of this to an end. (Please, applause is not necessary.)
Love can be faithful and strong,
But sometimes things do go wrong.
And often one on another does not dote
So I will have to end this on a sour note.
Roses are red,
Violets are few,
I sure picked a lemon
When I picked you.
J.L. West – Author
This article and many others found on the pages of Roots and Recall, were written by author J.L. West, for the YC Magazine and have been reprinted on R&R, with full permission – not for distribution or reprint!
Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.
Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.
Thanks!
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Share Your Comments & Feedback: