[lit-ideas] The pragmatics of the 'final' vocative

 
 

In a message dated 1/29/2005 2:12:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
ritchierd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

> I  found interesting the word order reversal in Scots 'O' usage noted in  
JL's
> info and it instantly made me think of that bizarre Burns song  about 
rushes,
> which has always generated a single pressing question in  my mind, i.e.:
> What's with the O, dude?
> 
> (Green grow  the rushes, O



---- There's also a nice song in Gilbert and Sullivan "Princess Ida", that  
plays on the Scottish idea of a 'final vocative' -- "A", rather than "O",  
though. Logically, it cannot be a vocative, if it's final (cf. "There's some  
Chinese food in the fridge, Mary". The correct is: "Mary [vocative] [or, "O  
Mary" 
if you must], "there's some soap in the fridge"]. So it must be something  
metrical. 
 
Cheers,
 
JL
 
Cyril's song in "Princess Ida"
 
Verse I
 
 
                  Would you know the kind of  maid
Sets my heart  aflame-a?
Eyes must be downcast and  staid,
Cheeks must flush for shame-a!
 
Refrain:
 

"Oh  kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss  me,
Though I die of  shame-a!"
Please you, that's the kind of  maid
Sets my heart  aflame-a!

Verse II
       
When a maid is bold and  gay,
With a tongue goes  clang-a,
Flaunting it in brave  array,
Maiden may go hang-a

Refrain:
                              
                   "Oh kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss  me,
Though I die for  shame-a!"
Please you, that's the kind of  maid
Sets my heart  aflame-a!
"


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