I'd Rather Not - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
I'd rather not Written by Nemo. Composed by Henry Pontet. 
I'd rather not, I'd rather not, You plead for more than I can plight, so press me not; A maiden free I fain would he, 'Tis all my heart's delight, 'tis all my heart's delight. 
O maiden fair, with deep despair You fill my trusting heart, you fill my trusting heart; Your accents soft have told me oft That you'd be mine, ne'er more to part-that you'd be mine, ne'er more to part. 
I may have vowed to love you forever and a day. But when I made that vow I quite forgot That if a maid doth wed she also must obey; No, thank you, sir-excuse me, sir-on second thoughts I'd rather not. 
You'll think again! you'll love again! Tou'll crave the heart you have betrayed-you have betrayed! But hark to me! you'll surely be A sad And cross old maid-a sad and cross old maid! 
Oh, say not so! oh, do not go! Such fate shall ne'er he mine-such fate shall ne'er be mine. Oh, pray relent! I do repent! Just ask once more and I'll be thine-just ask once more and I'll he thine. 
I'll vow again to love you forever and a day. And trust my willful ways you've quite forgot; Your ev'ry wish and word" I'll honor and obey; Old maid forsooth! not I in truth-on second thoughts, I'd rather not!