Here are the Digital Tradition lyrics of this song. It's shorter than I'd like it. I take it that this is a transcription of the Cliff Haslam recording.

FATHOM THE BOWL (from DT)

From France we do get brandy, from Jamaica it's rum,
Sweet oranges and lemons from Portugal come;
But stout, ale and cider are England's control,
Bring me the punch ladle, we'll fathom the bowl.

cho: Fathom the bowl, fathom the bowl,
Bring me the punch ladle, we'll fathom the bowl.

My father he do lie in the depths of the sea,
No stone for his head, but no matter to he;
There's a clear crystal fountain near England do roll
Bring me etc.

cho:

My wife she do disturb me as I lay at my ease,
She'll do as she will and she'll say as she please;
My wife is the devil, she's black as the coal,
Bring me etc.

@drink @English
recorded by Cliff Haslam on Clockwinder
filename[ FATHOMBL
TUNE FILE: FATHOMBL
CLICK TO PLAY
RG

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Here is the Traditional Ballad Index entry on this song. Not much help, either.

Fathom the Bowl

DESCRIPTION: In praise of drink, perhaps linked with a complaint about one's wife or a reminiscence of one's dead father. Each verse ends with the cry, "Bring (me/in) the punch ladle, (and) (I'll/we'll) fathom the bowl."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1889 (Baring Gould)
KEYWORDS: drink nonballad
FOUND IN: Britain(England(South,Lond))
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Williams-Thames, p. 88, "Fathom the Bowl" (1 text) (also Wiltshire-WSRO Wt 335)
Kennedy 268, "Bring in the Punch Ladle" (1 text, 1 tune)
DT, FATHOMBL*
Roud #880
ALTERNATE TITLES:
The Punch Ladle
File: K268

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