Arthur Mcbride - Mysteria

Oh, me and my cousin, one Arthur McBride

As we went a-walkin' down by the seaside

We met Sergeant Napper and Corporal Pry

The day bein' Christmas morning

«Good morning, good morning,» the sergeant did cry

«And the same to you gentleman,» we did reply

Intending no harm but meant to pass by

The day bein' pleasant and charming.

«But,» says he, «My fine fellows, if you will enlist

It’s ten guineas in gold I’ll slip in your fist

And a crown in the bargain for to kick up the dust

And drink the king’s health in the morning.

«For a soldier, he lives a very fine life

And he always is blessed with a charming young wife

While other poor fellows have sorrow and strive

And sup on thin gruel in the morning».

«But,» says Arthur, «I wouldn’t be proud of your clothes

For you only lend out them, now as I suppose

And you dare not change them one night,

If you dare, for you know you’ll be flogged in the morning.

«And we have no desire to take your advance

For all of the dangers we not take the chance

For you’d have no scruples in send us to France

Where we know we’d be shot in the morning»

«Oh no,» says the Sergeant, «If I hear one more word

I quickly right novel will draw out me sword

And straight into your body a strenght will afford

So now me young devils take warning»

But Arthur and I we counted the odds

And we scarce gave them time for to draw their own blades

With our trusty shillelaghs we bashed them in their heads

And paid them right smart in the morning.

And the old rusty rapiers that hung by their sides

We flung them as far as we could in the tide

«Now take that you devils!»

cried Arthur McBride

«And temper your steel in the morning!».

And the little wee drummer, we flattened his pouch

And we made a football of his rowdy-dow-dow

Threw it into the ocean for to rock and to roll

And bade it a tedious returning.

Oh, me and my cousin, one Artur McBride

As we went a-walkin' down by the seaside

Seeking good fortune and what did betide

For it bein' on Christmas morning.