G'day,

I promised Patrish, in another thread, to find these words and here they are: (from Mulga Wire/Singabout #13, pS2 (June 1979). This is an Australian collected version. The sentiments of the clerk would have wider appeal than those of the Parson!

The Parson and the Clerk

A parson preached to his flock one day, on the sins of the human race.
He said the evils of this world were really a shocking disgrace.
The pious clerk who sat by his side would venture a quiet remark.
"All sin is sweet," said the parson.
    "Then it's sin for me, " said the clerk … AMEN.
    "I'm all for sin," said the clerk … AMEN.

"The girls they all are a shameless lot," the parson he said with a groan.
"The boys too, of our Sunday school won't leave the young hussies alone,
I've seen them grinning behind their books, and I've seen those young dogs for a lark
Go kissing the girls," said the parson.
    "Why I've done it myself," said the clerk … AMEN
    "I'm proud of it too." said the clerk … AMEN

"The wealthy man," the parson said "will travel a path that is hard.
And when he reaches Heaven's gate, will find that the way there is barred.
So give all your money up to the church, to my words I bid you hark,
Never store up wealth" said the parson.
    "I'd like a few bob," said the clerk … AMEN
    "I'm damn near broke." said the clerk … AMEN

"And now dear friends my sermon's done, I hope you will mend your ways,
And never do as your parson does, but do as your parson says.
Also beware of the demon grog; 'twill lead you to ways that are dark.
Never drink, my friends." said the parson.
    "I'm dry as a bone," said the clerk … AMEN
    "I'm off for a pot," said the clerk … AMEN

This was remembered by JAMIE CARLIN from the singing of 'DUKE' TRITTON (Shearer, powder monkey, fencing contractor, gold fossicker &c). Little is known of the origins of the song.

MIDI file: parson-c.mid

Timebase: 240

TimeSig: 6/8 36 8
Tempo: 150 (400000 microsec/crotchet)
Start
0600 1 62 080 0096 0 62 064 0024 1 71 080 0192 0 71 064 0048 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 66 080 0048 0 66 064 0012 1 66 080 0048 0 66 064 0012 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 62 080 0192 0 62 064 0048 1 62 080 0048 0 62 064 0012 1 62 080 0048 0 62 064 0012 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 64 080 0057 0 64 064 0003 1 64 080 0057 0 64 064 0003 1 66 080 0192 0 66 064 0048 1 66 080 0096 0 66 064 0024 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0216 1 62 080 0113 0 62 064 0007 1 71 080 0192 0 71 064 0048 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 66 080 0096 0 66 064 0024 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 62 080 0192 0 62 064 0048 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 71 080 0096 0 71 064 0024 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 67 080 0096 0 67 064 0024 1 66 080 0096 0 66 064 0024 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 62 080 0384 0 62 064 0216 1 62 080 0096 0 62 064 0024 1 69 080 0192 0 69 064 0048 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 69 080 0192 0 69 064 0168 1 67 080 0096 0 67 064 0024 1 67 080 0096 0 67 064 0024 1 67 080 0096 0 67 064 0024 1 62 080 0192 0 62 064 0048 1 62 080 0096 0 62 064 0024 1 66 080 0192 0 66 064 0048 1 66 080 0057 0 66 064 0003 1 66 080 0057 0 66 064 0003 1 66 080 0096 0 66 064 0024 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 66 080 0096 0 66 064 0024 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0216 1 62 080 0096 0 62 064 0024 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 67 080 0096 0 67 064 0024 1 67 080 0096 0 67 064 0024 1 66 080 0096 0 66 064 0024 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 62 080 0096 0 62 064 0024 1 59 080 0192 0 59 064 0048 1 59 080 0192 0 59 064 0048 1 62 080 0048 0 62 064 0012 1 62 080 0048 0 62 064 0012 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 66 080 0192 0 66 064 0048 1 62 080 0048 0 62 064 0012 1 64 080 0048 0 64 064 0012 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0336 1 66 080 0288 0 66 064 0072 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0108 1 62 080 0057 0 62 064 0003 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 66 080 0192 0 66 064 0048 1 64 080 0048 0 64 064 0012 1 66 080 0048 0 66 064 0012 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0336 1 66 080 0288 0 66 064 0072 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:
M:6/8
Q:1/4=150
K:C
D6|B2AG2^F/2^F/2|G2ED2D/2D/2|E2E/2E/2^F2^F|
G5D|B2AG2^F|G2ED2A|ABAG^FE|D5D|A2AA3|GGGD2D|
^F2^F/2^F/2^FE^F|G5D|G2GG^FE|DB,2B,2D/2D/2|
E2E^F2D/2E/2|G6|^F3G5/2D/2|E2E^F2E/2^F/2|
G6|^F3G13/8||

Regards,

Bob Bolton