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%% Manchester Chambermaid, The
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X:1
T:Manchester Chambermaid, The
R:Folk Song
M:6/8
O:England
A:Lancashire
L:1/8
B:Folk Songs Of Lancashire
N:Mike Harding
K:G
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The Manchester Chambermaid

There was an inn in Manchester, the Cornstalk is the sign,
A public where cornmercial travellers often drink and dine.
One Christmas time a traveller, as always was his use,
Called to spend his holidays and cook his Christmas goose.

CHORUS
All around the green wood so early in the morn
The merry, merry hunts man blows his silver bugle horn.

He drank his pint of sherry wine and smoked a mild cigar,
He chatted to the customers and people in the bar,
There was no thought of wickedness ere entered in his head
Until the chambermaid appeared to light his way to bed.

And then he grew harmonious, he squeezed her in the stairs,
He kissed her by the chamber door before he said his prayers,
He gave to her a guinea to prevent her being vexed,
And then he blew the candle out, and you can guess the rest.

Next morning then this traveller rose and went to pay the bill
He tipped the boots and tossed the landlord for a parting gill
And where he went to afterwards is not for me to say
Suffice he went to cook his goose again next Christmas day.

For Christmas time came round again which filled his heart with glee
He travelled round from town to town and strange sights he did see
He ended up in Manchester at the Cornstalk for the night,
The Cornstalk where twelve months before he found so much delight.

He went into the coffee room as jolly as could be,
Where lots of customers like himself were waiting there for tea,
He ordered of the very best the larder could produce
And called the waiter back again saying "Don't forget the goose".

Right speedily a tray was brought with eatables galore
And by that self same chambermaid he'd kissed twelve months before,
But then he saw beneath the cloth on which the food was piled
Instead of a goose she'd brought to him a big, fat, bouncing child.

And then he stared astoundedly "What does this mean?" said he
"Come sit you down and calm yourself I'll tell you, sir," said she.
"Last Christmas time, you generous were, pray do not think it strange
A guinea you did give to me, now I have brought your change!"