So, my goal is to submit something to the songbook that's reasonably authentic and that makes sense. Jim Dixon's transcription from the broadsides (above) looks good to me, and it seems to work better than the Watersons rendition. I have trouble with the "wife" verse from the broadsides, so I used a verse from David Jones/Revels in that spot. Here's what I came up with. What think ye?

Fathom the Bowl

Come all ye bold heroes give an ear to my song
I'll sing in the praise of good brandy & rum
Let's lift up our glasses, good cheer is our goal
Give me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl
I'll fathom the bowl (2x) / Give me… (in 3/4)
G - - - / D - C G / - - C D / G C D G // G D G D / G C D G

From France we do get brandy, from Jamaica comes rum
Sweet oranges & lemons from Portugal come
But stout, beer, & cider are England's control / Give…

My wife she do disturb me, as I lie at my ease
She does as she likes, she says as she please
My wife, she's a devil, she's black as the coal…

My father he do lie in the depths of the sea
With no stone at his head, but what matters for he?
There's a clear crystal fountain near him it doth roll… [near England do roll???]

trad. (English)
"Punch" (Hindi "paantsch") was originally made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices.
In Revels Garland of S. Rec. by the Watersons.

C+jk


I don't like having chords printed with songs that are meant to be sung a cappella, but editor Peter Blood says they help people figure out what the song is supposed to sound like. OK, as long as they put down the guitar before they start singing...