Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896] - LightNovelsOnl.com
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[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]
