Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896] Part 23

[4: speech]

[5: drink]

[6: mouth]

[7: hand]

[8: nose]

[9: Notes; got the better of]

POOR LUDDY [Notes]

[b. 1826]

[By T. DIBDIN. _Universal Songster_, Vol. iii].

As I was walking down the Strand, Luddy, Luddy, Ah, poor Luddy, I. O.

As I was walking down the Strand, The traps they nabbed me out of hand [1]

Luddy, Luddy, Ah, poor Luddy, I. O.

As I was walking, etc.

Said I, kind justice, pardon me, Luddy, Luddy, Ah, poor Luddy, I. O.

Said I, kind justice, pardon me, Or Botany-Bay I soon shall see Luddy, Luddy, Ah, poor Luddy, I. O.

Said I, kind justice, etc.

Sessions and 'sizes are drawing nigh, Luddy, Luddy, Ah, poor Luddy, I. O.

Sessions and 'sizes are drawing nigh, I'd rather you was hung than I.

Luddy, Luddy, Ah, poor Luddy, I. O.

Sessions and 'sizes, etc.

[1: police; arrested]

THE PICKPOCKET'S CHAUNT [Notes]

[1829]

[By W. MAGINN: being a translation of Vidocq's song, "En roulant de vergne en vergne"].

I

As from ken to ken I was going, [1]

Doing a bit on the prigging lay, [2]

Who should I meet but a jolly blowen, [3]

Tol lol, lol lol, tol dirol lay; Who should I meet but a jolly blowen, Who was fly to the time of day. [4]

II

Who should I meet but a jolly blowen, Who was fly to the time of day, I pattered in flash like a covey knowing, [5]

Tol, lol, etc.

'Ay, bub or grubby, I say?' [6]

III

I pattered in flash like a covey knowing, 'Ay, bub or grubby, I say?"

'Lots of gatter,' says she, is flowing [7]

Tol lol, etc.

Lend me a lift in the family way. [8]

IV

Lots of gatter, says she, is flowing Lend me a lift in the family way.

You may have a crib to stow in.

Tol lol, etc.

Welcome, my pal, as the flowers in May.

V

You may have a crib to stow in, Welcome, my pal, as the flowers in May.

To her ken at once I go in Tol lol, etc.

Where in a corner out of the way,

VI

To her ken at once I go in.

Where in a corner out of the way With his smeller a trumpet blowing [9]

Tol lol, etc.

A regular swell cove lushy lay. [10]

VII

With his smeller a trumpet blowing A regular swell cove lushy lay, To his clies my hooks I throw in [11]

Tol lol, etc.

And collar his dragons clear away. [12]

VIII

To his clies my hooks I throw in, And collar his dragons clear away Then his ticker I set agoing, [13]

Tol lol, etc.

And his onions, chain, and key. [14]

IX

Then his ticker I set a going And his onions, chain, and key Next slipt off his bottom clo'ing, Tol lol, etc.

And his ginger head topper gay. [15]

X