Courtin' in the Kitchen Come single belle and beau, to me now pay attention, And love, I'll plainly show, is the devil's own invention. For once I fell in love with a damsel most bewitchin'. Miss Henrietta Bell, down in Captain Kelly's kitchen. CHORUS: With me toora-loora-la, me toora-loora-laddy, Me toora-loora-la, ri-toora-loora-laddy. At the age of seventeen, I was 'prenticed to a tailor. I met Miss Bell one day, and I truly wished to gain her. Her manners were so sweet, that she set me heart a-twitchin'. She invited me to tea, down in Captain Kelly's kitchen. CHORUS That Sunday was the day we were to have the flare-up. I dressed myself quite gay, an' I cut and combed my hair up. The Captain had no wife, and he had gone out fishin', So we kicked up high life, downstairs inside the kitchen. CHORUS With my arms around her waist, she slyly hinted marriage. To the door in dreadful haste came Captain Kelly's carriage! She flew up off my knees, about five feet or higher. I tumbled off my chair and nearly fell into the fire! CHORUS When the Captain came downstairs, to see the situation, In spite of all my prayers I was marched off to the station. For me they'd take no bail, tho' to get home I was itchin', And I had to tell the tale of how I got into the kitchen. CHORUS I said she did invite me, but she gave a flat denial. For assault she did indict me, and I was sent for trial. She swore I robbed the house, in spite of all her screechin', And I got six months hard, for my courtin' in the kitchen. CHORUS