Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896] Part 46

First she bows, and then she waves 'er 'and, Calling out we're goin' for a blow!

"Wot cher!" &c.

IV

Ev'ry evenin' on the stroke of five, Me and Missus takes a little drive, You'd say, "Wonderful they're still alive,"

If you saw that little donkey go.

I soon showed him that 'e 'd have to do, Just whatever he was wanted to, Still I shan't forget that rowdy crew, 'Ollerin' "Woa! steady! Neddy Woa!

"Wot cher!" &c.

[1: well-dressed man]

[2: man]

[3: hat]

[4: died; mistake]

[5: made them stare]

[6: donkey]

[7: fellow]

[8: no mistake]

[9: wife; make a show]

OUR LITTLE NIPPER [Notes]

[1893]

[By ALBERT CHEVALIER].

I

I'm just about the proudest man that walks, I've got a little nipper, when 'e talks [1]

I'll lay yer forty s.h.i.+ners to a quid [2]

You'll take 'im for the father, me the kid.

Now as I never yet was blessed wi' wealf, I've 'ad to bring that youngster up myself, And though 'is education 'as been free, 'E's allus 'ad the best of tips from me. [3]

And 'e's a little champion, Do me proud well 'e's a knock out, [4]

Takes after me and ain't a bit too tall.

'E calls 'is mother "Sally,"

And 'is father "good old pally,"

And 'e only stands about so 'igh, that's all!

II

'E gits me on at skittles and 'e flukes, [5]

And when 'e wants to 'e can use 'is "dooks," [6]

You see 'im put 'em up, well there, it's great, 'E takes a bit of lickin at 'is weight; 'E'll stick up like a Briton for 'is pals, An' ain't 'e just a terror with the gals; I loves to see 'im cuttin' of a dash, A walkin' down our alley on the mash. [7]

There, 'e's a little champion, Do me proud well 'e's a knock out, I've knowed 'im take a girl on six foot tall; 'E'll git 'imself up dossy, [8]

Say I'm goin' out wi' Flossie, An' 'e only stands about so 'igh, that's all.

III

I used to do a gin crawl e'vry night, [9]

An' very, very often come 'ome tight, [10]

But now of all sich 'abits I've got rid, I al'us wants to git 'ome to the kid.

In teachin' 'im I takes a regular pride, Not books, of course, for them 'e can't abide, But artful little ikey little ways, [11]

As makes the people sit up where we stays. [12]

(_Spoken_)--Only last Sunday me an' the missus took 'im out for a walk--I should say 'e took us out. As we was a comin' 'ome I says to the old gal "Let's pop into the 'Broker's Arms' and 'ave a drop o'

beer?" She didn't raise no objection so in we goes, followed by 'is nibs--I'd forgotten all about 'im--I goes to the bar and calls for two pots of four 'alf; suddenly I feels 'im a tuggin' at my coat, "Wot's up?" sez I; "Wot did yer call for?" sez 'e; "Two pots of four 'alf,"

sez I; "Oh," sez 'e, "ain't mother goin' to 'ave none?"

Well, 'e's a little champion, Do me proud well 'e's a knock out, "Drink up," sez 'e, "Three pots, miss, it's my call."

I sez "Now Jacky, Jacky;"

'E sez, "And a screw of baccy,"

And 'e only stands about so 'igh, that's all.

[1: child]

[2: s.h.i.+llings; pound]

[3: information]

[4: Notes]

[5: Notes]

[6: hands]

[7: courting]

[8: dressy]

[9: round of ginshops]

[10: drunk]

[11: funny]

[12: stare]

THE COSTER'S SERENADE [1894]

[By ALBERT CHEVALIER].

I

You ain't forgotten yet that night in May, Down at the Welsh 'Arp, which is 'Endon way, You fancied winkles and a pot of tea, "Four 'alf" I murmured's "good enough for me."

"Give me a word of 'ope that I may win"-- You prods me gently with the winkle pin-- We was as 'appy as could be that day Down at the Welsh 'Arp, which is 'Endon way.

Oh, 'Arriet I'm waiting, waiting for you my dear, Oh, 'Arriet I'm waiting, waiting alone out here; When that moon shall cease to s.h.i.+ne, False will be this 'eart of mine, I'm bound to go on lovin' yer my dear; d'ye 'ear?

II

You ain't forgotten 'ow we drove that day Down to the Welsh 'Arp, in my donkey shay; Folks with a "chy-ike" shouted, "Ain't they smart?" [1]

You looked a queen, me every inch a Bart.

Seemed that the moke was saying "Do me proud;"

Mine is the n.o.bbiest turn-out in the crowd; [2]