|
07 Mar 06 - 11:45 AM (#1687381) Subject: Lyr Req: Paid the smart - meaning? From: Arnie I've decided to try out that old chesnut 'The Recruited Collier' but have never really understood the following lyrics in verse 2: 'My father would have paid the smart And he ran for the golden guinea' Can anyone enlighten me - I have this strange notion that I should know what it is I'm singing about!! Cheers Arnie |
|
07 Mar 06 - 12:01 PM (#1687398) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paid the smart - meaning? From: Les from Hull It's a sum paid to redeem a recruit from the recruiting authorities (supposedly to enable them to recruit somebody else). More properly 'the smart money'. I'm sorry I don't know the derivation, but it was in common usage during the Napoleonic Wars and later. |
|
07 Mar 06 - 12:09 PM (#1687405) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paid the smart - meaning? From: Paul Burke It was the smart because it hurts to pay so much- maybe a month's wages. He ran for the golden guinea- he'd got that sum laid aside at home for just such emergencies. |
|
08 Mar 06 - 09:14 AM (#1688207) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paid the smart - meaning? From: Arnie Thanks Les & Paul - that seems to make sense so it must be right! |
|
08 Mar 06 - 09:20 AM (#1688213) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paid the smart - meaning? From: Keith A of Hertford Previous discussion |