Arthur Mcbride
Ton : EEnglish
D
Couplet
DOh me and my cousin one Arthur McBride
EAs we went a-walkin' down by the seaside
DMark now what followed and what did betide
EFor it bein' on Christmas mornin'
DNow for recreation we went on a tramp
EAnd we met Sergeant Napper and Corporal Vamp
DAnd a little wee drummer intending to camp
EFor the day bein' pleasant and charmin'.
Couplet
"DGood morning good morning" the Sergeant he cried.
"EAnd the same to you gentlemen" we did reply
DIntending no harm but meant to pass by
EFor it bein' on Christmas mornin'
"DBut" says he "My fine fellows if you will enlist
ETen guineas in gold I'll stick to your fist
DAnd a crown in the bargain for to kick up the dust
EAnd drink the king's health in the morning.
Couplet
"DFor a soldier he leads a very fine life
EAnd he always is blessed with a charming young wife
DAnd he pays all his debts without sorrow or strife
EAnd he always lives pleasant and charmin'
DAnd a soldier he always is decent and clean
EIn the finest of clothing he's constantly seen.
DWhile other poor fellows go dirty and mean
EAnd sup on thin gruel in the morning."
D
Couplet
"DBut" says Arthur "I wouldn't be proud of your clothes
EFor you've only the lend of them as I suppose
DBut you dare not change them one night for you know
EIf you do you'll be flogged in the morning
DAnd although that we're single and free
EWe take great delight in our own company
DWe have no desire strange places to see
EAlthough that your offers are charming.
D
Couplet
"DAnd we have no desire to take your advance
EAll hazards and dangers we barter on chance
DFor you'd have no scruples for to send us to France
EWhere we would get shot without warning"
"DOh no" says the Sergeant. "I'll have no such chat
EAnd neither will I take it from snappy young brats
DFor if you insult me with one other word
EI'll cut off your heads in the morning."
Couplet
DAnd Arthur and I we soon drew our hogs
EAnd we scarce gave them time to draw their own blades
DWhen a trusty shillelagh came over their head
EAnd bid them take that as fair warning.
DAnd their old rusty rapiers that hung by their sides
EWe flung them as far as we could in the tide
"DNow take them up devils!" cried Arthur McBride
"EAnd temper their edge in the mornin'!"
Couplet
DAnd the little wee drummer we flattened his bow
EAnd we made a football of his rowdy-dow-dow
DThrew it in the tide for to rock and to roll
EAnd bade it a tedious returning
DAnd we havin' no money paid them off in cracks.
EWe paid no respect to their two bloody backs
DAnd we lathered them there like a pair of wet sacks
EAnd left them for dead in the morning.
Couplet
DAnd so to conclude and to finish disputes
EWe obligingly asked if they wanted recruits
DFor we were the lads who would give them hard clouts
EAnd bid them look sharp in the mornin'.
D
Couplet
DOh me and my cousin one Arthur McBride
EAs we went a-walkin' down by the seaside
DMark now what followed and what did betide
EFor it bein' on Christmas mornin'