Transcribed from the video mentioned above (link). Thanks for connecting the dots for us, GUEST.


As performed by the ROARING TROWMEN at Harwich Shanty Festival (2016?)

Now I won't detain you long, but I have to sing a song
About that British workman's friend, the pint of beer (pint of beer!)
And the subject of my tale is the shocking price of ale
And just what it is that makes the stuff so dear (stuff so dear)

So dear (so dear), so dear (so dear)
And just what it is that makes the stuff so dear
You might share my consternation, it's a slur on this great nation
What them thieving little bastards charge for beer (charge for beer)

Now I well remember when that a pint was one quid ten
And a ??teer?? could get rat-assed for just ten pounds (just ten pounds)
But now it's three pounds eighty and the way it's going lately
You will have to sell your car to buy a round

Buy a round (buy a round), buy a round (buy a round)
You will have to sell your car to buy a round
You might share my consternation, it's a slur on this great nation
What them thieving little fellows charge for beer (charge for beer)

Well now for each pint you sup, oh the brewer takes his cut
And the mean and grasping landlord has his share (has his share)
But the worst one of the lot, it's the taxman, takes the pot
Do they think I am a sodding millionaire (a millionaire)?

Millionaire (millionaire), millionaire (millionaire)
Do they think I am a sodding millionaire?
You might share my consternation, it's a slur on this great nation
What them thieving little fellows charge for beer (charge for beer)

You need a taxman for your lucre like your foot needs a verruca
And it's no surprise the government's share has grown (share has grown)
Where it does no good at all, they just wee it up the wall
If there's weeing to be done, I'll do me own (I'll do me own)

Do me own (do me own), do me own (do me own)
If there's weeing to be done, I'll do me own
You might share my consternation, it's a slur on this great nation
What them thieving little fellows charge for beer (charge for beer)

Oh, now to end my saga about the criminal price of lager
It's enough to make you stop and stick to tea (stick to tea)
If they raise the price again I will sod off down to Spain
Where the beer is cheap and fags are almost free (almost free)

Almost free (almost free), almost free (almost free)
Where the beer is cheap and fags are almost free
You might share my consternation, it's a slur on this great nation
What them thieving little fellows charge for beer (charge for beer)