Arthur McBride
anonyme
Originale | La versione di Andy Irvine eseguita dai Planxty |
ARTHUR MCBRIDE | ARTHUR McBRIDE AND THE SEARGEANT |
I once knew a fellow called Arthur McBride | I had a first cousin called Arthur McBride |
And his pleasure was walking down by the seaside | he and I took a stroll down by the seaside |
A-walking, a-talking, a-viewing the tide | a seeking good fortune and what might the tide |
If the weather was pleasant and charming | it was just as the day was a dawning |
So gay and so gallant we went on a tramp | And after we rested we went on a tramp |
We met Sergeant Harper and Corporal Cramp | we met Seargeant Napper and Corporal Cramp |
And the bonnie little drummer who roused up the camp | and a little wee drummer who beat up our camp |
With his rowdedowdow in the morning | with his rowdy dou dou in the morning |
What ho, my good fellows, the sergeant did cry | He said my young fellows if you will enlist |
The same to you, sergeant, we made to reply | a guinea you quickly shall have in your fist |
There was nothing more said and we made to pass by | and besides a crown for to kick up the dust |
All on that bright summer's morning | and drink the King's health in the morning |
What ho, my good fellows, if you would enlist | but had we been such fools as to take the advance |
Ten guineas in gold I would slap in your fist | the wee bit of money we'd have to run chance |
And a crown in the bargain to kick up the dust | do you think it no scuples for to send us to France |
And to drink the King's health in the morning | where we would be killed in the morning |
Oh no my good sergeant, we are not for sale | He says my young fellows if I hear but one word |
Though we're fond of our country your bribes won't avail | instantly now will out with my sword |
Though we're fond of our country we care not to sail | and into your bodies as strength might afford |
For we are the boys of the morning | so now me gay devils take warning |
If you would insult me without any word | but Arthur and I we soon took the odds |
I swear by my king I would draw my broad sword | and we gave them no chance for to draw out their swords |
And I'd run through your body as strength me afford | our wacking shillelaghs came over their heads |
Ere you could breathe out the morning | and paid them right smart in the morning |
We laid the little drummer as flat as a shoe | As for the wee drummer we rifled his pouch |
We made a football of his rowdedowdoo | and we made a football of his rowdy dou dou |
The sergeant, the corporal, we knocked out the two | and into the ocean for to rock and to roll and |
For we were the boys of the morning | barring the day its returning |
And as for the weapons that hung by their side | as for the ould rapier that hung by his side |
We flung them as far as we could in the tide | we flung as far as we could in the tide |
And the devil go with you, says Arthur McBride | To the divil I pitch you says Arthur McBride |
For spoiling our walk in the morning. | to temper your edge in the morning. |