Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896] Part 18

A LEARY MOT [Notes]

[_c_. 1811]

[A broadside ballad].

I

Rum old Mog was a leary flash mot, and she was round and fat, [1]

With tw.a.n.gs in her shoes, a wheelbarrow too, and an oilskin round her hat; A blue bird's-eye o'er dairies fine-- as she mizzled through Temple Bar, [2]

Of vich side of the way, I cannot say, but she boned it from a Tar-- [3]

Singing, tol-lol-lol-lido.

II

Now Moll's flash com-pan-ion was a Chick-lane gill, and he garter'd below his knee, [4]

He had twice been pull'd, and nearly lagg'd, [5]

but got off by going to sea; With his pipe and quid, and chaunting voice, "Potatoes!" he would cry; For he valued neither cove nor swell, for he had wedge snug in his cly [6]

Singing, tol-lol-lol-lido.

III

One night they went to a c.o.c.k-and-Hen Club, [7]

at the sign of the Mare and Stallion, But such a sight was never seen as Mog and her flash com-pan-ion; Her covey was an am'rous blade, and he buss'd young Bet on the sly, [8]

When Mog up with her daddle, bang-up to the mark, [9]

and she black'd the Bunter's eye. [10]

Singing, tol-lol-lol-lido.

IV

Now this brought on a general fight, Lord, what a gallows row-- [11]

With whacks and thumps throughout the night, till "drunk as David's sow"-- [12]

Milling up and down--with cut heads, and lots of broken ribs, [13]

But the lark being over--they ginned themselves at jolly Tom Cribb's.

Singing, tol-lol-lol-lido.

[1: woman or harlot]

[2: Silk-handkerchief; Notes; paps; went]

[3: stole]

[4: sweetheart]

[5: gaoled; transported]

[6: money; pocket]

[7: Notes]

[8: kissed]

[9: fist; straight to the spot]

[10: rag-gatherer]

[11: great s.h.i.+ndy]

[12: Notes]

[13: fighting]

"THE NIGHT BEFORE LARRY WAS STRETCHED" [Notes]

[c; 1816]

I

The night before Larry was stretch'd, The boys they all paid him a visit; A bit in their sacks, too, they fetch'd-- They sweated their duds till they riz it; [1]

For Larry was always the lad, When a friend was condemn'd to the squeezer, [2]

But he'd p.a.w.n, all the togs that he had,[3]

Just to help the poor boy to a sneezer, [4]

And moisten his gob 'fore he died.

II

''Pon my conscience, dear Larry', says I, 'I'm sorry to see you in trouble, And your life's cheerful noggin run dry, And yourself going off like its bubble!'

'Hould your tongue in that matter,' says he; 'For the neckcloth I don't care a b.u.t.ton, [5]

And by this time to-morrow you'll see Your Larry will be dead as mutton: All for what? 'Kase his courage was good!'

III

The boys they came crowding in fast; They drew their stools close round about him, Six glims round his coffin they placed-- [6]

He couldn't be well waked without 'em, I ax'd if he was fit to die, Without having duly repented?

Says Larry, 'That's all in my eye, And all by the clargy invented, To make a fat bit for themselves.

IV

Then the cards being called for, they play'd, Till Larry found one of them cheated;

Quick he made a hard rap at his head-- The lad being easily heated, 'So ye chates me bekase I'm in grief!

O! is that, by the Holy, the rason?

Soon I'll give you to know you d--d thief!

That you're cracking your jokes out of sason, And scuttle your n.o.b with my fist'.

V

Then in came the priest with his book He spoke him so smooth and so civil; Larry tipp'd him a Kilmainham look, [7]

And pitch'd his big wig to the devil.

Then raising a little his head, To get a sweet drop of the bottle, And pitiful sighing he said, 'O! the hemp will be soon round my throttle, And choke my poor windpipe to death!'

VI

So mournful these last words he spoke, We all vented our tears in a shower; For my part, I thought my heart broke To see him cut down like a flower!

On his travels we watch'd him next day, O, the hangman I thought I could kill him!

Not one word did our poor Larry say, Nor chang'd till he came to King William; [8]

Och, my dear! then his colour turned white.