Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896] Part 15

[3: warder, pick oak.u.m]

[4: money]

[5: feet]

[6: fist]

[7: eyes]

[8: common lodging-house][Notes]

[9: drink; abuse]

[10: wig; "footing"]

THE SANDMAN'S WEDDING [b. 1789]

[A Cantata by G. Parker (?)].

_Recitative_.

As Joe the sandman drove his n.o.ble team Of raw-rump'd jennies, "Sand-ho!" was his theme: Just as he turned the corner of the drum, [1]

His dear lov'd Bess, the bunter, chanc'd to come; [2]

With joy cry'd "Woa", did turn his quid and stare, First suck'd her jole, then thus addressed the fair. [3]

_Air_.

I

Forgive me if I praise those charms Thy glaziers bright, lips, neck, and arms [4]

Thy snowy bubbies e'er appear Like two small hills of sand, my dear: Thy beauties, Bet, from top to toe Have stole the heart of Sandman Joe.

II

Come wed, my dear, and let's agree, Then of the booze-ken you'll be free; [5]

No sneer from cully, mot, or froe [6]

Dare then reproach my Bess for Joe; For he's the kiddy rum and queer, [7]

That all St. Giles's boys do fear

_Recitative_.

With daylights flas.h.i.+ng, Bess at length reply'd, [8]

Must Joey proffer this, and be deny'd?

No, no, my Joe shall have his heart delight And we'll be wedded ere we dorse this night; [9]

"Well lipp'd," quoth Joe, "no more you need to say"--[10]

"Gee-up! gallows, do you want my sand to-day?"

_Air_.

I

Joe sold his sand, and cly'd his cole, sir, [11]

While Bess got a basket of rags, Then up to St. Giles's they roll'd, sir, To every bunter Bess brags: Then into a booze-ken they pike it, [12]

Where Bess was admitted we hear; For none of the coves dare but like it, As Joey, her kiddy, was there.

II

Full of glee, until ten that they started, For supper Joe sent out a win; A hog's maw between them was parted, And after they sluic'd it with gin: It was on an old leather trunk, sir, They married were, never to part; But Bessy, she being blind drunk, sir, Joe drove her away in his cart.

[1: street]

[2: rag-gatherer]

[3: kissed her]

[4: eyes]

[5: ale-house]

[6: fellow, girl, or wife]

[7: brave and cute]

[8: eyes]

[9: sleep]

[10: spoken]

[11: pocketed his money]

[12: go]

THE HAPPY PAIR.

[1789]

[By GEORGE PARKER in _Life's Painter of Variegated Characters_].

_Joe_.

Ye slang-boys all, since wedlock's nooze, Together fast has tied Moll Blabbermums and rowling Joe, Each other's joy and pride; Your broomsticks and tin kettles bring, With cannisters and stones: Ye butchers bring your cleavers too, Likewise your marrow-bones; For ne'er a brace in marriage hitch'd, By no one can be found, That's half so blest as Joe and Moll, Search all St. Giles's round.

_Moll_.

Though fancy queer-gamm'd s.m.u.tty Muns Was once my fav'rite man, Though rugged-muzzle tink'ring Tom For me left maw-mouth'd Nan: Though padding Jack and diving Ned, [1]

With blink-ey'd buzzing Sam, [2]

Have made me drunk with hot, and stood [3]

The racket for a dram; Though Scamp the ballad-singing kid, Call'd me his darling frow, [4]

I've tip'd them all the double, for [5]

The sake of rowling Joe.

_Chorus_.

Therefore, in jolly chorus now, Let's chaunt it altogether, And let each cull's and doxy's heart [6]

Be lighter than a feather; And as the kelter runs quite flush, [7]

Like _natty_ s.h.i.+ning _kiddies_, To treat the coaxing, giggling brims, [8]

With s.p.u.n.k let's post our _neddies_; [9]

Then we'll all roll in _bub_ and _grub_, [10]

Till from this ken we go, [11]