The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #12131   Message #93730
Posted By: Ian HP
09-Jul-99 - 01:14 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Sweep Chimney Sweep
Subject: SWEEP CHIMNEY SWEEP
In the words of SWEEP CHIMNEY SWEEP, as sung by the Copper family, what do the lines "I can give as good a smack / And there's no one . . . shall call me on hire" signify? What is a smack in this context? And why would a chimney sweep not want to be hired?