Hi Guys,

Really have enjoyed reading down through this thread.

I know of another version from Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, which I believe is called the Ballad of Kinley Stick, or Ring the Bell Kinley.


Ballad of Kinley Stick, or Ring the Bell Kinley.

In the back room at Barclay's the auld Stick he stands
Graspin' the Bell wi' his auld shakey hand
Ask why he lingers and sadly he'll tell
He hasnae got a copper so he can'y ring the bell

CHORUS: Ring the bell Kinley, Ring, Ring the bell.
Heather Jock's approaching the glad news tae tell
He's pawned his upper garment and they say he has done well
So ring the bell Kinley Stick man Kinley ring the bell.

Heather Jock enters while Kinley still grieves
He stands and he gazes all in his shirt sleeves
Stick hails him wi' a shout nae ither could excell
And Heathers brief response was Man! Kinley ring the bell. CHORUS

Half a gill for the twa the Stick does boldly cry
Drink and be off was the Landlords reply
Heather did then quaff the half gill tae himsel'
And left oor Kinley scare a drop tho' he did ring the bell. CHORUS

Aw Heather that's unfair the Stick does wildly cry
Ah drank it quoth Heather because that I was dry
But gin ye'll came wi' me ma sark ah will sell
And syne we'll baith came back again and ring, ring the bell. CHORUS

Then through the Sandbed the pair they did go
Strecht tae the Pawnshop that's kept by Milmoe
But the sark it was sae bad, it really wadnae sell
So they never did back again to ring, ring the bell. CHORUS


Enjoyed hearing the band at Skagen this year - when are you next over this way?