Just my 2 pen'urth. Given that it is a song about the kind of nonsense that you spout when drunk why does it have to have a meaning? Fleas cannot heave trees. Hares don't chase hounds. The man in the moon doesn't exist. And just to add more confusion 'clouting' could also be cleaning - In this neck of the woods a clout is a cloth:-)

Has anyone mentioned who Martin and his man may be BTW? Do we assume that the 'man' is servant or master? It is a phrase that refers to both in different circumstances.

There y'are, Joe - More research to do :-)

Cheers

DtG