Oh Dear, What Can the Matter Be?

Piano Teacher

Felix Swinstead (1880-1959) was an English composer, pianist and teacher. His published works were numerous, mainly consisting of pieces for piano. The turn-of-the-century parlor tune "Oh Dear, What Can the Matter Be?" is one of his earlier works.

The Music
Oh Dear, What Can the Matter Be?
[ 1:56 ] [ 12k ]

The Song
The song in this book which is sung to the tune of
"Oh Dear, What Can the Matter Be?"

1. Seven Old Ladies

Oh Dear, What Can the Matter Be?

Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Johnny's so long at the fair.

A trinket to please me
And then for a smile,
Oh, he vowed he would tease me
He promised to buy me
A bunch of blue ribbons
To tie up my bonnie brown hair.

Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Johnny's so long at the fair.

He promised to bring me
A basket of posies
A garland of lilies,
A gift of red roses
A little straw hat to
Set off the blue ribbons
That tie up my bonnie brown hair.

Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Johnny's so long at the fair.