When we were kids, my grandma (from southwestern Ontario) used to sing this song to us. My mother recently transcribed it from memory and here's her version:


GRANDMA'S SONG (Parts between asterisks are sung.)

***Christmas Day was drawing near.
We were very, very poor.
We had neither pudding nor beer
For our Christmas dinner.***

I asked Father what we'd have. He said, 'Nothing I guess'. But when I came home the next day, I found Father had stolen the parson's black sheep. I said I'd tell. He said he'd whip me if I did. Nevertheless I went down the street singing:

***'Father's stolen the parson's black sheep.
A merry Christmas we will keep.
We will have both pudding and beer
For our Christmas dinner.***

Just then who should I meet but Parson Brown. 'Little boy' he said, 'If I give you a suit of clothes and half a crown, will you sing that in church on Sunday morning?' I said I would.

So on Sunday morning the parson said, 'Please listen carefully to every word this little boy sings, for it is the gospel truth.' So I sang:

***Parson Brown was out one day
Early in the month of May.
Molly Green was making hay,
And he stepped up and kissed her.***

He shook me and said, 'Little boy, that is a wicked, wicked lie.' Nevertheless, I went on singing:

***'How I've cheated Parson Brown
A suit of clothes and half a crown
Telling the people all around
How he kissed Miss Molly.'***