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25 Jun 07 - 04:05 AM (#2086172) Subject: Folklore: Breathes there a man... From: GUEST,PMB A snippet that my mother used to recite: Breathes there a man with soul so dead Who never to himself has said, I'll swing the lead, I'll stay in bed, I'm blowed if I can stick it! If that won't do, why strike me blue, I'll work my bloomin' ticket! A parody of a poem by Sir Walter Scott. Working one's ticket is, I think, army slang for obtaining discharge by feigning illness, but the language is clearly more music hall than barracks. Anyone any idea of the origin? |
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26 Jun 07 - 02:32 AM (#2087073) Subject: RE: Folklore: Breathes there a man... From: Anglo Maybe not. But let's go to the top of the pile and try again. |