Lyr Req: The Bard's Reformation (Samuel Bamford)

Subject: Lyr Req: the Bards reformation
From: GUEST,jimlad
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 05:16 PM

Has anyone got the lyrics for the old Lancashire(Oldham) song The Bards Reformation

Subject: Lyr Add: the Bards reformation
From: Snuffy
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 07:02 PM

THE BARD'S REFORMATION
(Samuel Bamford)
Adieu to the alehouse where pounds I have spent,
For drinking and smoking brings little content.
Where laughin' and grinnin'
And bettin' and winnin'
Cause sorrowful sinnin',
The roar and the rant
To a better beginning is now my intent

Adieu to the fiddle, the dance an' the song,
To the lads an' the lasses I've trip't it among,
Adieu unto Johnny,
Who dances so bonny,
The tightest of ony;
Yon flag it can tell
The weight of his steps, an' he timeth them well.

Adieu to the glance of the love-lookin' e'e,
To the lip that is sweet as the mel of the bee;
The waist that is charmin',
The movement so warmin',
The purpose disarmin',
Of mortals like me;
An' prudence alarmin' commands me to flee.

Adieu to the lads, who are dons in the fray,
I've borne their sore bruises for mony a day;
There's Darby an' Dobbin,
Mad Ab' an' Rough Robin,
For Kickin' or nobbin',
Do carry the bay,
There's no country gobbin can bear it away.

Farewell to the lads who love frolic an' fun,
An' gaily support it when once 'tis begun,
There's Dick, Ned an' Simon,
True lovers of joy, mon,
I ne'er found them coy, mon,
At fuddle or spree;
The tear an' the sigh, mon, before 'em will flee.

Farewell to the Doctor, whose wit it is bright,
As the glim of the glow-worm on grey Summer's night;
His cordial, delicious,
His green peas for issues,
Pills, plasters and washes,
Are flitted to Lees,
The sick of the village to free from disease.

"The Gentleman's" company I must refrain,
Although the denial may cost me much pain;
He singeth so sweetly,
He diddles so neatly,
With snuff he will treat ye,
Ay, "honour" he will;
The toper of topers is "Gentleman Sprill" .

So now to my own little nook I'll retire,
I'll bar out the storm, an' I'll trim up the fire,
This witchery breakin',
All folly forsakin',
To study betakin',
My mind to improve;
My muse ever wakin' to freedom an' love.