The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #17805   Message #4142678
Posted By: Joe Offer
28-May-22 - 01:36 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Burke and Hare (ballads about)
Subject: ADD: Burke and Hare (John Doyle)
John Doyle wrote an interesting song titled "Burke and Hare." Anyone have time to transcribe it?

The chorus is the nursery rhyme:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBeT3DxK4Qo

BURKE & HARE
(John Doyle)

Gentlemen and ladies, 'round the Royal Mile,
Wearing nothing but the best, and going out in style;
But down in Tanner's Close and and the slums of Westport [pair???]
Shadows in the dark are lurking on the square.

In the dead of night, we tramped the streets all 'round,
And look for some poor soul our victim to be found,
And then we'll bring him back to our humble abode,
Show him how a proper welcome is bestowed.
CHORUS

In the bar we drink from morning until late,
And when the money's gone, we'll plan somebody's fate.
Be it Mary Patterson, [*** Jamie???] or Janet Brown,
We'll get 'em liquored up and then we'll lay them down.
CHORUS

And when the deed is done, it's in the box we'll store,
To Knox in Surgeon Square, and get our cash and go,
And then he will proceed, with doctors all around,
To lay them on the slab, and then get knuckle (?) down.
CHORUS (twice)


As you can see, I need help here and there.

Here's an hour-long set by John Doyle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRWjhBX1x5A