Replies

ARTHUR McBRIDE AND THE SEARGEANT

I had a first cousin called Arthur McBride
he and I took a stroll down by the seaside
a seeking good fortune and what might the tide
it was just as the day was a dawning
And after we rested we went on a tramp
we met Seargeant Napper and Corporal Cramp
and a little wee drummer who beat up our camp
with his rowdy dou dou in the morning

He said my young fellows if you will enlist
a guinea you quickly shall have in your fist
and besides a crown for to kick up the dust
and drink the King's health in the morning
but had we been such fools as to take the advance
the wee bit of money we'd have to run chance
do you think it no scuples for to send us to France
where we would be killed in the morning

He says my young fellows if I hear but one word
instantly now will out with my sword
and into your bodies as strength might afford
so now me gay devils take warning
but Arthur and I we soon took the odds
and we gave them no chance for to draw out their swords
our wacking shillelaghs came over their heads
and paid them right smart in the morning

As for the wee drummer we rifled his pouch
and we made a football of his rowdy dou dou
and into the ocean for to rock and to roll and barring the day its returning
as for the ould rapier that hung by his side
we flung as far as we could in the tide
To the divil I pitch you says Arthur McBride
to temper your edge in the morning.

(inviata da Riccardo Venturi)