Malcolm-

Thanks for your usual good work. Just what I was looking for.

Here's a corrected version of the song with your notes:

From the singing of Charlie Wills of Morcombelake, Bridport, Dorset.
Peter Kennedy recorded it from him in 1952.
The recording appeared on vol. II of the Caedmon/Topic Folk Songs of Britain series,
and quite a few people learned it from there.
It's currently available on Topic TSCD 657, First I'm Going to Sing You a Ditty

UP TO THE RIGS

Up London City I took my way,
It was up Cheapside I chanced to stray;
When a fair pretty girl there I did meet,
And with kisses her then I did greet.

Chorus:

For I was up to the rigs,
Down to the jigs,
Up to the rigs of London Town.

She took me to some house of fame (sin?)
And boldly did she enter in;
Loudly for supper she did call,
Thinking I was going to pay for it all.(CHO)

The supper o'er, the table cleared
She called me her jewel and then her dear;
The waiter brought white wine and red,
While the chambermaid prepared the bed.(CHO)

Between the hours of one and two
She asked me if to bed I'd go;
Immediately I did consent
And along with this pretty girl I went.(CHO)

Her cheeks was white and her lips was red
And I kissed her as she laid in bed;
But soon as I found she was fast asleep,
Out of the bed then I did creep.(CHO)

I searched her pockets and there I found
A silver snuffbox and ten pounds,
A gold watch and a diamond ring;
I took the lot and locked me lady in.(CHO)

Now all young men wherever you be
If you meet a pretty girl you use her free;
You use her free but don't get pied (drunk)
But remember me when I was up Cheapside.(CHO)

Cheerily,
Charley Noble