Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896] Part 13

[3: well-dressed victim; walk]

[4: give signal to confederate]

[5: Notes]

[6: robbing]

[7: get you transported]

[8: steal; handkerchief]

[9: receiver of stolen property]

[10: house]

THE POTATO MAN [Notes]

[1775]

[from _The Ranelaugh Concert_...a choice collection of the newest songs sung at all the public places of entertainment].

I

I am a saucy rolling blade, [1]

I fear not wet nor dry, I keep a jack a.s.s for my trade, And thro' the streets do cry _Chorus_. And they all rare potatoes be!

And they're, etc.

II

A moll I keep that sells fine fruit, [2]

There's no one brings more cly; [3]

She has all things the seasons suit, While I my potatoes cry.

_Chorus_. And they all, etc.

III

A link boy once I stood the gag, [4]

At Charing Cross did ply, Here's light your honor for a mag, [5]

But now my potatoes cry.

_Chorus._ And they all, etc.

IV

With a blue bird's eye about my squeeg, [6]

And a check s.h.i.+rt on my back, [7]

A pair of large wedges in my hoofs, And an oil skin round my hat.

_Chorus._ And they all, etc.

V

I'll bait a bull or fight a c.o.c.k, Or pigeons I will fly; I'm up to all your knowing rigs [8]

Whilst I my potatoes cry.

_Chorus._ And they all, etc.

VI

There's five pounds two-pence honest weight Your own scales take and try; For nibbing culls I always hate, [9]

And I in safety cry.

_Chorus._ And they all, etc.

[1: fellow]

[2: mistress]

[3: money; Notes]

[4: cry out]

[5: halfpenny]

[6: handkerchief]

[7: Notes; neck.]

[8: smart tricks]

[9: cheating dealers]

A SLANG PASTORAL [Notes]

[1780]

[By R. TOMLINSON:--a Parody on a poem by Dr. Byrom, "My time, O ye muses, was happily spent"].

I

My time, O ye kiddies, was happily spent, [1]

When Nancy trigg'd with me wherever I went; [2]

Ten thousand sweet joys ev'ry night did we prove; Sure never poor fellow like me was in love!

But since she is nabb'd, and has left me behind, [3]

What a marvellous change on a sudden I find!

When the constable held her as fast as could be, I thought 'twas Bet Spriggins; but damme 'twas she.

II

With such a companion, a green-stall to keep, To swig porter all day, on a flock-bed to sleep, [4]

I was so good-natur'd, so bobbish and gay, [5]

And I still was as smart as a carrot all day: But now I so saucy and churlish am grown, So ragged and greasy, as never was known; My Nancy is gone, and my joys are all fled, And my a.r.s.e hangs behind me, as heavy as lead.

III

The Kennel, that's wont to run swiftly along, And dance to soft murmurs dead kittens among, Thou know'st, little buckhorse, if Nancy was there, 'Twas pleasure to look at, 'twas music to hear: But now that she's off, I can see it run past, And still as it murmurs do nothing but blast.

Must you be so cheerful, while I go in pain?

Stop your clack, and be d.a.m.n'd t'ye, and hear me complain.

IV

When the bugs in swarms round me wou'd oftentimes play, And Nancy and I were as frisky as they, We laugh'd at their biting, and kiss'd all the time, For the spring of her beauty was just in its prime!