Lyr Add: Wapping Old Stairs

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Wapping Old Stairs
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 06:24 PM

John Percy, 1749-1797.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Wapping Old Stairs
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 08:12 PM

See  Lester Levy Sheet Music Collection for music:

Wapping Old Stairs. The Favorite National Ballad

The music seems to have been written by a John Percy; likely around 1810.

Subject: Lyr Add: Wapping Old Stairs
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 04:41 PM

Lyr. Add: WAPPING OLD STAIRS

Your Molly has never been false, she declares,
Since the last time we parted ar Wapping Old Stairs;
When I said that I would continue the same,
And gave you the 'bacco box marked with my name.

When I passed a whole fortnight between decks with you
Did I e'er give a kiss, Tom, to one of your crew?
To be useful and kind, *why my Thomas I staid,
For his trowsers I washed, and his grog too I made.

Though you promised last Sunday to walk in the mall,
With Susan from Deptford and likewise with Sall,
In silence I stood your unkindness to hear
And only upbraided my Tom with a tear.

Why should Sall, or should Susan, than me be more prized?
For the heart that is true, Tom, should ne'er be despised;
Then be constant and kind, nor your Molly forsake,
Still your trowsers I'll wash, and your grog too I'll make.

Bodleian Library, printed by J. Catnach, London, between 1813-1838, Harding B11(4029). Other printings, all similar.

* by(?). Another broadside song about Wapping, a different aspect of 19th c. sailor's life than that pictured in "Ratcliffe Highway" ("Rolling Down Wapping"). Thread 22855: Ratcliffe Highway