The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #21476 Message #2571174
Posted By: Austin P
19-Feb-09 - 04:12 PM
Thread Name: Origins: My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean
Subject: RE: Origins: My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean
From The vocal miscellany 3rd ed. London 1738 pp 214
Have You Heard
I once was a Poet at London,
I kept my Heart still full of Glee;
There's no Man' can say that I'm undone,
For begging's no new Trade to me.
Tol derol, &c.
I once was an Attorney at Law,
And after a Knight of the Post:
Give me a brisk Wench in clean Straw,
And I value not who rules the Roast.
Tol derol, &c.
Make room for a Soldier in Buff,
Who valiantly strutted about,
Till he fancy'd the Peace breaking off,
And then he most wisely-sold out.
Tol derol, &c.
Here comes a Courtier polite, Sir,
Who flatter'd my Lord to his Face;
Now railing is all his Delight, Sir,
Because he miss'd getting a Place,
Tol derol, &c.
I still am a merry Gut-Scraper,
My Heart never yet felt a Qualm;
Tho' poor, I can frolick and vapour,
And sing any Tune, but a Psalm.
Tol derol, &c
I was a fanatical Preacher,
I turn'd up my Eyes when I pray'd;
But my Hearers half starved their Teacher,
For they believ'd not one Word that I said.
Tol derol, &c
Whoe'er would be merry and free,
Let him list, and from us he may learn:
In Palaces who shall you see,
Half so happy as we in a Barn?
Tol derol, &c.
AP