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Arthur McBride
Traditional

lyrics

Oh, me and me cousin, one Arthur McBride
As we went a-walking down by the seaside
Mark what did follow and what did betide
For it being on Christmas morning

All for recreation, we went on a tramp
And we met Sergeant Nipper and Corporal Vamp
And a little wee drummer, who roused up the camp
With his rowdeydowdow in the morning

"Good morning, good morning" the sergeant did cry
"And the same to you gentlemen" we did reply
Intending no harm, only for to pass by
For it being on Christmas morning

But said he, "My fine fellows if you would enlist
It's ten guineas of gold I'll slip in your fist
And a crown in the bargain for to kick up the dust
And to drink the King's health in the morning"

"Well, we have no desire to take your advance
All hazards and fortune we barter on chance
Besides you've no scruples but to send us to France
Where we're sure to be shot in the morning"

"Oh no!", said the sergeant, I'll have no such chat
And neither will take it from spalpeen or brat
For if you insult me with words like that
I'll cut off your heads in the morning

Instrumental

Then Arthur and I we took on the odds
And they barely had time for to draw their own blades
When a trusty shillelagh came over their heads
And bade them take that as fair warning

And the little wee drummer we flattened his pow
And we made a football of his rowdeydowdow
Flung it into the tide for to rock and to roll
And bade it a tedious returning

And the old rusty rapiers that hung by their sides
We flung them as far as we could in the tide
"And the devil go with you", cried Arthur McBride
"For spoiling our walk in the morning"

And we had no money to put in their cracks
And we paid no respect to their two bloody backs
For we lathered them there like a pair of wet sacks
And left them for dead in the morning

And so to conclude and to finish disputes
We obligingly asked if they'd like some recruits
For we were the lads who could give them hard clout
And bade them look sharp in the morning

Oh, me and me cousin, one Arthur McBride
As we went a-walking down by the seaside
Mark what did follow and what did betide
For it being on Christmas morning

credits

from Culled From the Garden 1991, released April 9, 1991
Aubrey Atwater: vocals, guitar
Elwood Donnelly: vocals, harmonica

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Atwater-Donnelly Warren, Rhode Island

Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, present delightful programs of traditional American and Celtic folk songs, a capella pieces, old-time gospel songs, dance tunes, and original works, blending gorgeous harmonies with guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, mandolin, tin whistle, harmonica, banjo, bones, spoons, limberjacks, and Appalachian clog dancing and French Canadian footwork. ... more

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