The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #45565 Message #674035
Posted By: Bullfrog Jones
22-Mar-02 - 11:38 AM
Thread Name: Help: Four and Twenty Ponies / Smuggler's Song
Subject: Lyr Add: A SMUGGLER'S SONG (Rudyard Kipling)
It's by Rudyard Kipling..
If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse's feet Don't go drawing back the blinds, or looking in the street Them that asks no questions isn't told a lie Watch the wall my darling when the gentlemen go by. Chorus: Five and twenty ponies trotting through the dark Brandy for the parson, baccy for the clerk Laces for a lady, letters for a spy And watch the wall my darling, while the gentlemen go by.
Running round the woodlump if you chance to find Little barrel, roped and tarred, all full of brandy-wine Don't shout to come and look, nor use 'em for your play Put the brushwood back again – they'll be gone next day. Chorus:
If you see the stable door setting open wide; If you see a tired horse lying down inside; If your mother mends a coat cut about and tore; If the lining's wet and warm – don't you ask no more! Chorus:
If you met King George's men, dressed in blue and red, You be careful what you say, and mindful what is said. If they call you, "Pretty maid", and chuck you 'neath the chin Don't you tell where no one is, nor yet where no ones been. Chorus:
Knocks and footsteps round the house – whistles after dark You've no call for running out till the house dogs bark Trusty's here, and Pincher's here, and see how dumb the lie They don't fret to follow when the gentlemen go by! Chorus:
If you do as you've been told, likely there's a chance You'll be give a dainty doll, all the way from France With a cap of Valenciennes and a velvet hood A present from the gentlemen, along 'o being good.
Chorus: Five and twenty ponies trotting through the dark Brandy for the parson, baccy for the clerk Them that asks no questions isn't told a lie Watch the wall my darling when the gentlemen go by.