THE THREE FLIES
by Thomas Hudson
THERE were three flies once on a time
Resolved to travel and change their clime.
For they neither cared for father nor mother.
For uncle, nor aunt, nor sister, nor brother.
The first was a yellow one, the second was blue.
And the third was a green one to the view ;
So off they set with their merry hums.
And told their parents to kiss their bums.
But they too saucy were, by half;
I can't sing if you do laugh.
So shut your mouths, and list to me,
Tiddle, liddle, lol, and tiddle liddle lee,
And take a lesson from a fly.
Don't give way to lux — u — ry.
They had not got far when the' yellow one cries
"Look down, my boys, a dinner I spies;"
But the bluebottle answered, "upon my word"
"I sees nothing but a large cow t__d"
"A cow t__d well, there's good in that ;
I'm sure it looks monstratious fat ;
And I wish as how I may go to Davy, .
If I don't have some of that rich gravy."
But the others too dainty were by half;
I can't sing if you do laugh, &c. &c.
Away, then flew the other two,
Jacky Green and Tommy Blue;
They flowed on fast, and did not stop
Till they came opposite to a butcher's shop.
"Oh, oh," says the bluebottle, " here's a treat";
"I'm particularly fond of butchers' meat !"
Sap 'tother, says he, "then off I go,
"For I don't care for meat, you know"
But he too dainty was by half, &c. &c.
Far off then by himself he flowed.
And into a grocer's shop he goed :
And there he play'd some saucy rigs.
For he danc'd among the sugar, and the plums and the figs.
The day being hot, he took a whim.
And thought in some treacle he should like to swim ;
So, without considering consequences, in he goes.
And didn't even stop to take off his cloathes ;
But the treacle he found too thick by half, &c. &c.
The other two pass'd by the door,
And heard a voice they'd heard before ;
So nearer to the sound they got.
Till they 'lighted on the treacle pot.
There they saw him almost dead,
And thus to him the bluebottle said,
"O Greeny, all our powers can't save ye.
You'd better have had our beef and gravy ;"
But you too dainty was by half, &c. &c.
Now, all young men inclin'd to roam.
Take my advice, and stay at home ;
And be your fortunes dry or wet
Be content with what you get.
And 'bout trifles make no fuss.
Farther on you may fare worse ;
And mayhap when a great way off you've got,
Like that poor fly you'll go to pot.
For he too dainty was by half, &c. &c.
Source: Comic Songs by Thomas Hudson, 1818
London: Printed by Gold and Walton, 24 Wardour Street, Oxford
Street, for T. Hudson, Kean's Head, Russell Court, Drury Lane
1818