Navvy on the Line |
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I am a navvy bold, that's tramped the country round, sir, To get a job of work, where any can be found, sir. I left my native home, my friends and my relations, To ramble up and down and work in various stations. I'm a navvy don't you see, I'm a navvy in my prime; I'm a nipper, I'm a tipper and I'm working on the line. I left my native home on the first day of September, That memorable day I still do remember. I bundled up my kit, Sunday smock and cap put on, sir, And wherever I do go, folks call me happy Jack, sir. I've got a job of work in the lovely town of Bury*, And working on the line is a thing that makes me merry. I can use my pick and spade, likewise my old wheelbarrow; I can court the lasses, too, but I don't intend to marry. I worked a fortnight there, and then it come to pay-day, And when I got my wages, I thought I'd have a play-day. And then a little spree in High* Street went quite handy, Then sat me down in Jenkinson's beside a Fanny Brandy. I called for a pint of beer, and bid the old wench drink, sir, But whilst she was a-drinking, she too at me did wink, sir. Well, then we had some talk; in the back we had a rally; Then jumped o'er brush and steel and agreed we'd both live tally. They called for liquors freely, the jug went quickly round, sir That being my wedding day, I spent full many a crown, sir. And when my brass was done, old Fanny went a-cadging, And to finish up my spree, I went and sloped my lodgings. Oh now I'm going to leave the lovely town of Bury; I'm sorry for to leave you chaps, for I always found you merry. So call for liquors freely, and drink away my dandy, Here's a health to happy Jack, likewise to Fanny Brandy. |
* The original leaves a blank for the town and street names,
presumably to allow the singer to set the song in his own locality. |
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