An’ he couldn’t hardly answer when the parson made him say
Who it was on that occasion was to give the girl away.
I detest tears at a weddin’, an’ I didn’t like ’em then,
An’ I couldn’t see the reason for the lips that trembled when
Reverend Goodly looked about him ere he tied the knot to stay
An’ said: ‘Which of you assembled here now gives this girl away?’
I shall not forget old William an’ the solemn look he wore,
Though he tried his best at smilin’ I could tell his heart was sore;
I could see the tear drops startin’ as he looked at little May,
An’ I knew the wrench it caused him when he gave his girl away.
I could hear the women sobbin’, an’ I didn’t dare to look,
I jes’ kep’ my face straight forward till the parson closed his book.
For the heart of me was beatin’ not in sadness, but in glee;
I had reason to be happy. He was givin’ her to me.