Following Bruce's comments above, Sigmund Spaeth insists that "Beau" is the authentic spelling and that Old Rosin was more of a playboy and boozer than a musician. He also firmly asserts that the lyrics that he published are the "correct version of the original." Sigmund was nothing if not humble. Here is his version, which has a lot in common with other versions.

ROSIN THE BEAU

I live for the good of my country,
And my sons are all growing low,
But I hope that my next generation
Will resemble old Rosin, the beau.
I've travelled this country all over,
And now to the next I will go;
For I know that good quarters await me,
To welcome old Rosin the beau.

In the gay round of pleasure I've travelled.
Nor will I behind leave a foe;
And when my companions are jovial,
They will drink to old Rosin, the beau.
But my life is now drawn to a closing,
And all will at last be so:
So we'll take a full bumper at parting,
To the name of old Rosin, the beau.

When I'm dead and laid out on the counter,
The people all making a show,
Just sprinkle plain whiskey and water
On the corpse of old Rosin, the beau.
I'll have to be buried, I reckon,
And the ladies will all want to know,
And they'll lift up the lid of my coffin,
Saying, "Here lies old Rosin, the beau.

Oh! When to my grave I am going,
The children will all want to go;
They'll run to the doors and the windows,
Saying, "There goes old Rosin, the beau."
Then pick me out six trusty fellows,
And let them all stand in a row,
And dig a big hole in a circle,
And in it toss Rosin, the beau.

Then shape me out two little donochs,
Place one at my head and my toe,
And do not forget to scratch on it,
The name of old Rosin, the beau.
Then let those six trusty good fellows,
Oh! Let them all stand in a row,
And take down the big-bellied bottle,
And drink to old Rosin, the beau.^^

rich r