Arthur Mcbride

Oh me and me cousin, one Arthur McBride
As we went a-walking down by the seaside
We met Sergeant Napper and Corporal Pride
The day being Christmas morning
Good morning, good morning the sergeant did cry
And the same to you gentlemen we did reply
Intending no harm we just meant to pass by
The day being pleasant and charming
But says he, "Me fine fellows, if you will enlist
It's ten guineas in gold I will 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 leads a very fine life
And he always is blessed with a charming young wife
While other poor fellows have sorrow and strife
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'd not take the chance
That you'd have no scruples and send us to France
Where you know we'd be shot in the morning."
"Oh no," says the sergeant, "if I hear one more word
I quickly right now will draw out me sword
And into your bodies the strength 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 in their heads
And paid them right smart in the morning
And the rusty old rapiers that hung by their sides
We flung them as far as we could in the tide
"Now take that ye 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 round old ow-owl
Kicked it into the ocean for to rock and to roll
And bid it a tedious returning
Oh me and me cousin, one Arthur McBride
As we went a-walking down by the seaside
A-seeking good fortune and what might betide
It being on Christmas morning