Le Gorille

It was through strong iron railings

That the females of the district

Weighed up a strapping gorilla

Unworried what people will say

With no shame, these nosey women

Even goggled one precise spot

Which my mother has quite strictly 

Forbidden me to mention here

Beware of the gorilla !

All at once, the tight-shut prison

In which the fine animal lived

Opens, we don’t know why (I think

They must not have closed the door right)

The ape, coming out of his cage

Said “Today’s the day I lose it”

Talking of his virginity

You have already guessed, I hope

Beware of the gorilla !

The boss of the menagerie

Shouted frantically « Good Heavens ! 

That’s awkward because the gorilla 

Has never known female monkey".

As soon as the feminine mob

Knew that the ape was a virgin

Instead of cashing in on their luck

They ran at full speed on their pins

Beware of the gorilla

The very same ones who, just now

Were wilfully fancying him

Fled, proving that they had hardly

Any consistency of thought.

All the more vain was their fear

As gorillas are quite funky

Superior to man in embraces.

Many women will vouch for that.

Beware of the gorilla

Everyone rushes off from

The attack of the ape on heat

Except one senile lady

And a young judge standing firm.

Seeing all the girls escaping

The beast on four paws went faster

Waddling straight to the two dresses 

Of the old woman and the judge.

Beware of the gorilla

« Ah » sighed the hundred year old  

That I might still be desirable

Would be weird and wonderful 

And, frankly quite unexpected. »

The judge expressionless thought

« For me to be deemed a she-ape

That’s completely impossible »

The next events proved him wrong.

Beware the gorilla !

Suppose one of you men might be,

As the ape was obliged to

Rape a judge or very old lady 

Which would he choose of the two

Should a similar alternative

One of these days fall to me

It is the old gran, I’m convinced

Who’ll be the object of my choice.

Beware of the gorilla.

But, sadly, if the gorilla

In games of love earns his rating

We know though that he does not shine

In his taste or his intellect

So, instead of choosing the old gran

As anybody else would have done

He grabbed the judge by the ear

And dragged him into the brushwood.

Beware the gorilla

What follows would be delightful

Unfortunately, I cannot

Tell it and that’s regrettable

That would’ve made us laugh a little

For the judge, at the supreme moment

Yelled out “Mamma!” and cried a lot

Like the man whom, that very day

He had had decapitated.

Beware the gorilla!

Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime

Change your heart, look around you
Change your heart, will astound you
I need your loving like the sunshine
Everybody's got to learn sometime
Everybody's got to learn sometime
Everybody's got to learn sometime

Change your heart, look around you
Change your heart, will astound you
I need your loving like the sunshine
Everybody's got to learn sometime
Everybody's got to learn sometime
Everybody's got to learn sometime

I Belong To Glasgow

I belong to Glasgow, dear old Glasgow town
But something's the matter with Glasgow for it's going round and round
I'm only a common old working chap as anyone here can see
But when I get a couple of drinks on a Saturday Glasgow belongs to me

I've been with a few o' my cronies, one or two pals o' ma ain
We went in a hotel, where we did very well then we came out once again
Then we went into another, that is the reason I'm fu'
We had six deoch an' doruises, then sang a chorus just listen, I'll sing it to you

There's nothing in being teetotal and saving a shilling or two
If your money you spend you've nothing to lend well, that's all the better for you
There's nae harm in taking a drappie, it ends all your trouble and strife
It gives you the feeling that when you get home you don't care a hang for the wife

JOLLY GOOD LUCK TO THE GIRL THAT LOVES A SOLDIER

Find the military man who's really worthy of the name
He's never behind hand when duty's to be done 
He's the fellow you can trust to try and win the game whatever the prize waiting to be won
By Jingo don't the girls know that as well as I do? Isn't the fact made plain every day
When you see them strolling by a soldiers side who could ever be more proud than they?

Jolly good luck to the girl that loves a soldier
Girls - have you been there?
You know we military men always do our duty everywhere
Jolly good luck to the girl that loves a soldier
Real good boys are we
Girls - if you'd like to love a soldier you can all love me.

Don't you think I'm a hero from the wars, because I'm not but nevertheless I've faced powder don't you see
I've been in some engagements, too and some were duced hot, for one of the girls, nearly captured me
Great Scott! When I reflect how nearly I was done for. well I could call myself horrible names
It would have been most unfair to marry one for some other girl had equal claims.

Girls, I want to advise you will you please attend to me?
When choosing a sweetheart, pray choose the proper sort
Don't you have anything to do with men who sail the sea, they're regular flirts wives in every port
You'll never find a soldier act in such a way I think to be hard on him's nothing but cheek
Perhaps you won't believe what I'm about to say I was true to one girl all last week.

I’VE TOLD HIS MISSUS ALL ABOUT HIM

You've heard me tell the story how I waited at the church
And how the wretched bounder went and left me in the lurch
The way he made me spend my cash on all my twiddley bits
But what I haven't told you is the way that I got quits
I found out where his missus lives, and to myself, I think
I'll just go round to say to Mrs Obadiah Binks.

I'm the girl he left in the lurch
I'm the girl who was waiting at the church
But I've got another fellow in my eye
So I'm all right without him
I found out where his wife was hid. Told her all he said
Told her all he did
There's a very dark night in front of him
For I told his missus all about him.

She sympathised with me, she did, as any woman might
She said 'Yes he's been courting you, but I'm the one he's caught
Only wait till he comes home, when the lights are low and dim
I'll give him 'Wife won't let me' when I lay my hands on him'
Before we parted, she showed me her twins so large and fine
I said 'I've been unlucky, or they might have both been mine.

I'M HENERY THE EIGHTH, I AM

You don't know who you're looking at now have a look at me
I'm a bit of a nob I am belong to Royalty
I'll tell you how it came about I married widow Burch
And I was King of England when I toddled out of church
Outside the people started shouting, “Hip hooray”
Said I, “Get down upon your knees its Coronation Day.

I'm Henery the eighth I am, Henery the eighth I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
Everyone was a Henery she wouldn't have a Willie or a Sam
I'm her eighth old man named Henry, I'm Henery the eighth I am.”

I left the Duke of Cumberland a pub up in the town
Soon with one or two moochers I was holding up the Crown
I sat upon the bucket that the car men think their own
Surrounded by my subjects I was sitting on the throne
Out came the potman saying, “Go on home to bed”
Said I, “Now say another word and off'll go your head.

Now at the waxworks exhibition not so long ago
I was sitting among the Kings I made a lovely show
To good old Queen Elizabeth I shouted, “Wotcha Liz!”
While people poked my ribs and said, “I wonder who this is?”
One said, “Its Charlie Peace.” and then I got the spike
I shouted, “Show your ignorance!” as waxy as you like.

HOW DARE THEY!

I needn't remark that I'm a swell, and all that
And being a swell, of course I've taken a flat
Now all my neighbours declare I'm stuck up
They pass rude remarks and they call me a pup
How dare they! I say, how dare they?
You can take it from me,
It's a great liberty
How dare they! What's that?
Why, pups live in kennels, not in a flat.

Just because I keep a slave, oh dear
Who looks after me when the wife isn't near?
Brings up my coffee each morning in bed
My pals wink and, by Jove, the things that they've said
How dare they! I say, how dare they!
Say that I cast a slur 
On the girls character
How dare they! What's that?
Why, she was ninety years old when she came to my flat.

I am respected by high and by low
Most of the low are too high, don't you know
Tradesmen keep sending their bills into me
The laundress declares I owe her one and three
How dare she! I say, how dare she!
Say that I've often marched 
Off with linen she's starched
How dare she! What's that?
Why, I've not had a shirt washed for years, the old rat.

I always go first class when I go by rail
I don't take a ticket, that's a detail
And when in the carriage I'm having a snooze
The porters wake me, and rude language they use
How dare they! I say, how dare they!
Pull me out by my feet 
When I'm under the seat
How dare they! What's that?
I pass off as dirt on the London and Chat.

I had a blow out today, bye the bye
Two puffs, an air pudding and half a wind pie
But as I left the cafe, to my great surprise
I was followed by thousands and thousands of flies
How dare they? I say, how dare they?
Followed me from the place, 
Buzzing all round my face
How dare they! What's that?
They can smell the polony  I hid in my hat.

Last year when I went to France for my health
My neighbours all envied me having such wealth
So for spite they sent false reports round to my clubs
To say I was doing time in Wormwood Scrubs
How dare they? I say, how dare they?
Tell my friends at the clubs 
I was in Wormwood Scrubs
How dare they! What's that?
It's a lie. It was Holloway where I was at.

WHY AM I ALWAYS THE BRIDESMAID?

Why am I dressed in these beautiful clothes?
What is the matter with me?
I’ve been a bridesmaid for twenty-two brides
This one’ll make twenty-three
Twenty-two maidens I’ve helped off the shelf
No doubt it seems a bit strange
Being the bridesmaid is no good to me
And I think I could do with a change.

Why am I always the bridesmaid
Never the blushing bride
Ding, Dong, wedding bells
Only ring for other gals
But one fine day
Please let it be soon
I shall wake up in the morning
On my own honeymoon.

Twenty-two times I have been to the church
Following the bride up the aisle
Twenty two maidens have answered I will
Meaning I won’t all the while
Twenty-two couples I’ve seen go away
Just to be on their own
Twenty-two times I’d wished it was me
And gone back home to Mother alone.

I had a good chance a week or two past
And took my young man home to tea
Mother got playful and gave him a pinch
And pinched my fiancée from me
Being a widow she knew what to do
No use for me to complain
Then they got married today if you please
I was only the bridesmaid again.

WHEN I TAKE MY MORNING PROMENADE

Since Mother Eve in the garden long ago
Started the fashion; fashion's been the fashion
She wore a strip that has mystified the priests
Still every season brought a change of green
She'd stare if she came to Town
What would Mother Eve think of my new Parisian gown?

As I take my morning promenade
Quite a fashion card, on the promenade
Now I don't mind nice boys staring hard
If it satisfies their desire
Do you think that my dress is a little bit
Just a little bit - not too much of it?
If it shows my shape just a little bit
That's the little bit the boys admire.

Fancy the girls in the prehistoric days
Had to wear a bearskin to cover up their fair skin
Lately Salome has danced to be sure
Wearing just a row of beads and not much more
Fancy me dressing like that too
I'm sure the “Daily Mirror” man would want an interview

I've heard that grandmothers wore a crinoline
Then came the bustle - Oh wasn't that a tussle
Women were tied up and loaded with dress
But fashion now decrees that she must wear much less
Each year her costume gets more brief
I wonder when we'll be back to the good old-fashioned leaf.

Caledonia

Madonna light, the hyper speeding caressed the newborn with a tear
Of misty windfields, crystal plains and all the magic of daybreak
The virgin dream, a haunting taste of Celtic love joys, warm at court
Withered rivers, painted streams cut deep the sweet vagina

The lords, the monied merchants the feudalistic jester slave
Walk deep between these walls of stone in a fading sky pulsation
Descended veil of resurrection Agricola's granite tomb
The blood of Pict in all its fury died by a thousand eyes

And deadly is the stage which stagnates calm before a raging storm
The hands and nails frozen black by twilight stripped of sinew
Sinew splintered splendor crackled swirling forest castle ride
Funneled through magenta hallways Hell was but the froth

Toth the isis child new as mother's milk had come the magic
Pipes of spice and firefly diamonds of lightning
Lightning diamond festival of dragon fire cricket strings
Leaf percussion, looking glass far beneath the overground man

Rock & Roll Doctor

There was a woman in Georgia, didn't feel just right
She had the fever all day and chills at night
Now things got worse a serious bind at times 
Like this it takes a man with a style I cannot often find
A doctor of the heart and a doctor of mind.

If you like country with a boogie beat, he's the man to meet
If you like the sound of shuffling feet, he can't be beat
If you wanna feel real nice, just ask the rock and roll doctor's advice.

It's just a country town but patients come from Mobile to Moline from miles around
Nagodoches to New Orleans in beat-up old cars or in limousines
To meet the doctor of soul, he's got his very own thing.
Two degrees in be-bop, a PHD in swing
He's the master of rhythm, he's a rock and roll king,

Southern Nights

Southern nights have you ever felt a southern night
Free as a breeze not to mention the trees whistling tunes that you know and love so
Southern nights just as good even when closed your eyes
I apologize to any one who can truly say that he's found a better way

Southern skies have you ever noticed
Southern skies it's precious beauty lies just beyond the eye
It goes running through the soul like the stories told of old

Old man He and his dog that walk the old land every flower touched his cold hand
As he slowly walked by weeping willows would cry for joy joy
Feels so good feels so good it's frightening
Wish I could stop this world from fighting

Mystery like this and many others in the trees
Blow in the night in the southern skies
Southern nights they feel so good it's frightening
Wish I could stop this world from fighting

Across The Borderline

There's a place where I've been told every street is paved with gold and it's just across the borderline 
And when it's time to take your turn here's a lesson that you must learn 
You could lose more than you'll ever hope to find
When you reach the broken promised land and every dream slips through your hands 
Then you'll know that it's too late to change your mind because you've paid the price to come so far 
Just to wind up where you are and you're still just across the borderline

Up and down the Rio Grande a thousand footprints in the sand reveal a secret no one can define 
The river flows on like a breath  in between our life and death 
Tell me who's the next to cross the borderline
In the sad darkness today we have to cross this river which calls us further away
But hope remains when pride is gone and it keeps you moving on calling you across the borderline
When you reach the broken promised land every dream slips through your hands 
And you'll know it's too late to change your mind because you pay the price to come so far 
Just to wind up where you are and you're still just across the borderline 
Now you're still just across the borderline and you're still just across the borderline

Mexican Divorce

Down below El Paso lies Juarez

Mexico is different like a travel folder says

Cross the Rio Grande and you will find

An old adobe house where you leave your past behind

One day married, next day free broken hearts for you and me

Takes no time, and all you to get a Mexican divorce

As I came into this empty house last night looked at all my windows

I did but I couldn't find one light I found you on that road to Mexico

And now, my love, I beg please please, don't go

One day married, next day free broken hearts for you and me

Takes no time, and all you to get a Mexican divorce

Finding love takes so long walking out must be wrong

It's a sin for you to get a Mexican divorce

One day married, next day free broken hearts for you and me

Down In Mexico

Down in Mexicali there's a crazy little place that I know
Where the drinks are hotter than the chili sauce and the boss is a cat named Joe
He wears a red bandana, plays a blues pianna in a honky-tonk, down in Mexico
He wears a purple sash, and a black moustache in a honky-tonk, down in Mexico

Well, the first time that I saw him he was sitting on a piano stool
I said "Tell me dad, when does the fun begin? He just winked his eye and said "Man, be cool."
He wears a red bandana, plays a blues pianna in a honky-tonk, down in Mexico
He wears a purple sash, and a black moustache in a honky-tonk, down in Mexico

All of a sudden in walks this chick Joe starts playing on a Latin kick
Around her waist she wore three fishnets she started dancing with the castanets
I didn't know just what to expect she threw her arms around my neck
We started dancing all around the floor and then she did a dance I never saw before.
So if you're south of the border I mean down in Mexico
And you want to get straight don't hesitate just look up a cat named Joe.
He wears a red bandana, plays a blues pianna in a honky-tonk, down in Mexico
He wears a purple sash, and a black moustache in a honky-tonk, down in Mexico

Como est usted senorita come with me to the border, south of the border, that is in Mexico 
In Mexico you can get your kicks in Mexico come with me come with me, come with me, crazy

The Bamba

To dance the Bamba to dance the Bamba,
One needs a bit of grace a bit of grace for me, for you,
Now come on, come on, now come on, come on,
For you I'll be, for you I'll be, for you I'll be.
I'm not a sailor, I'm not a sailor, I'm a captain.I'm a captain, I'm a captain.

To dance the Bamba to dance the Bamba,
One needs a bit of grace a bit of grace for me, for you,
Now come on, come on, now come on, come on,
For you I'll be, for you I'll be, for you I'll be.
I'm not a sailor, I'm not a sailor, I'm a captain.I'm a captain, I'm a captain.

The Unfortunate Rake

As I was a-walking down by St. James' Hospital,
I was a-walking down by there one day,
What should I spy but one of my comrades
All wrapped up in flannel though warm was the day.

I asked him what ailed him, I asked him what failed him,
I asked him the cause of all his complaint.
"It's all on account of some handsome young woman,
'Tis she that has caused me to weep and lament.

"And had she but told me before she disordered me,
Had she but told me of it in time,
I might have got pills and salts of white mercury,
But now I'm cut down in the height of my prime.

"Get six young soldiers to carry my coffin,
Six young girls to sing me a song,
And each of them carry a bunch of green laurel
So they don't smell me as they bear me along.

"Don't muffle your drums and play your fifes merrily,
Play a quick march as you carry me along,
And fire your bright muskets all over my coffin,
Saying: There goes an unfortunate lad to his home."

Streets Of Laredo

As I walked out in the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day,
I spied a poor cowboy, all wrapped in white linen
All wrapped in white linen and cold as the clay.

"I see by your outfit, that you are a cowboy."
These words he did say as I slowly passed by.
"Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story,
For I'm shot in the chest, and today I must die."

"'Oh once in the saddle I used to go dashing,
'Oh once in the saddle I used to go gay.
First down to Rosie's, and then to the card-house,
Got shot through the body, and now here I lay."

"Oh, beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly,
And play the dead march as you carry me along;
Take me to the green valley, there lay the sod o'er me,
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong."

"Get six jolly cowboys to carry my coffin,
Get six pretty maidens to bear up my pall.
Put bunches of roses all over my coffin,
Roses to deaden the clods as they fall."

"Then swing your rope slowly and rattle your spurs lowly,
And give a wild whoop as you carry me along;
And in the grave throw me and roll the sod o'er me.
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong."

"Go bring me a cup, a cup of cold water.
To cool my parched lips", the cowboy then said.
Before I returned, his spirit had departed,
And gone to the round up – the cowboy was dead.

We beat the drum slowly and played the fife lowly,
And bitterly wept as we bore him along.
For we loved our comrade, so brave, young and handsome,
We all loved our comrade, although he'd done wrong.

El Paso

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso I fell in love with a Mexican girl
Night-time would find me in Rosa's cantina music would play and Felina would whirl
Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina wicked and evil while casting a spell
My love was deep for this Mexican maiden I was in love but in vain, I could tell
One night a wild young cowboy came in wild as the West Texas wind
Dashing and daring a drink he was sharing with wicked Felina the girl that I loved

So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden
Down went his hand for the gun that he wore
My challenge was answered in less than a heart-beat
The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor
Just for a moment I stood there in silence shocked by the foul evil deed I had done
Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there I had but one chance and that was to run

Out through the back door of Rosa's I ran out where the horses were tied
I caught a good one It looked like it could run up on its back and away I did ride
Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of El Paso out to the badlands of New Mexico
Back in El Paso my life would be worthless everything's gone in life nothing is left
It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden my love is stronger than my fear of death

I saddled up and away I did go riding alone in the dark maybe tomorrow
A bullet may find me tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my heart
And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso I can see Rosa's cantina below
My love is strong and it pushes me onward down off the hill to Felina I go

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys off to my left ride a dozen or more
Shouting and shooting I can't let them catch me I have to make it to Rosa's back door
Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel a deep burning pain in my side
Though I am trying to stay in the saddle I'm getting weary unable to ride

But my love for Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen
Though I am weary I can't stop to rest I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle
I feel the bullet go deep in my chest from out of nowhere Felina has found me
Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side
Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for one little kiss and Felina, good-bye

(LET'S HAVE A) PARTY

Some people like to rock, some people like to roll,
But moving and a grooving gonna satisfy my soul.
Let's have party, let's have party, send it to the store,
Let's buy some more, let's have party tonight.

I've never kissed a bear, I've never kissed a goon,
But I can shake a chicken in the middle of the room.
Let's have party, let's have party, send it to the store,
Let's buy some more, let's have party tonight.

Now, honky-tonky Joe is knocking at the door,
Bring him in and fill him up and set him on the floor.
Let's have party let's have party, send it to the store,
Let's buy some more, let's have party tonight.

Party, party, well, I feel it in my leg, feel it in my shoe,
Tell me, pretty baby if you think you feel it too.
Let's have party, let's have party,
I'm gonna send it to the store, let's buy some more,
Let's have party tonight.

Some people like to rock, some people like to roll,
But moving and a grooving gonna satisfy my soul.
Let's have party, let's have party, send it to the store,
Let's buy some more, let's have party tonight.
We're gonna send it to the store, let's buy some more have party tonight.

We're gonna have ourselves a little party tonight.
I'm not giving in, man, I'm gonna have a party, yeah.
Party, party I'm not going home yet,
Send it to the store, let's buy some more,
We're gonna have a party tonight.
Some people like to rock, people like to roll,
But moving and a grooving gonna satisfy my soul,
Let's have a party.

(LET'S HAVE A) PARTY

Some people like to rock some people like to roll
But moving and a grooving gonna satisfy my soul
Let's have a party let's have a party
Send him to the store and let's buy some more
And let's have a party tonight

I've never kissed a bear I've never kissed a goon
But I can shake a chicken in the middle of the room
Let's have a party let's have a party
Send him to the store and let's buy some more
And let's have a party tonight

Now Honky Tonky Joe is knockin' at the door
Bring him in and fill him up and sit him on the floor
Let's have a party let's have a party
Send him to the store and let's buy some more
And let's have a party tonight

The meat is on the stove the bread is getting hot
Everybody come and taste the possum Poppa shot
Let's have a party let's have a party
Send him to the store and let's buy some more
And let's have a party tonight
We're really gonna have a party tonight

Walking To New Orleans

This time I'm walking to New Orleans 
I'm walking to New Orleans 
I'm gonna need two pairs of  shoes
When I get through walking these blues
When I get back to New Orleans

I've got my suitcase in my hand now ain't that-a shame?
I'm leaving here today I'm going back home to stay
I'm walking to New Orleans
You used to be my honey until you spent all my money
No use for you to cry I'll see you by and by
Because I'm walking to New Orleans

I've got no time for talking I've got to keep on walking
New Orleans is my home that's the reason why I'm going
I'm walking to New Orleans I'm walking to New Orleans
I'm walking to New Orleans I'm walking to New Orleans.

I Wish I Was In New Orleans

Well, I wish I was in New Orleans, I can see it in my dreams,
Arm-in-arm down Burgundy, a bottle and my friends and me
Hoist up a few tall cool ones, play some pool and listen to that tenor saxophone calling me home
And I can hear the band begin When the Saints Go Marching In,
And by the whiskers on my chin, New Orleans, I'll be there

I'll drink you under the table, be red-nosed, go for walks,
The old haunts what I wants is red beans and rice
And wear the dress I like so well, and meet me at the old saloon,
Make sure that there's a Dixie moon, New Orleans, I'll be there

And deal the cards roll the dice, if it ain't that old Chuck E. Weiss,
And Claiborne Avenue, me and you Sam Jones and all
And I wish I was in New Orleans, 'cause I can see it in my dreams,
Arm-in-arm down Burgundy, a bottle and my friends and me New Orleans, I'll be there

Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans and miss it each night and day
I know I’m not wrong, this feeling's getting stronger the longer, I stay away

Miss them moss covered vines, the tall sugar pines where mockingbirds used to sing
And I'd like to see that lazy Mississippi hurrying into spring
The moonlight on the bayou a creole tune that fills the air
I dream about Magnolias in bloom and I'm wishing I was there

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans since that's where you left your heart
And there's something more, I miss the one I care for more than I miss New Orleans

The Battle Of New Orleans

In 1814 we took a little trip
Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississippi
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans

We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin'
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they began to runnin'
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

We looked down the river and we seed the British come
And there must have been a hundred of 'em beatin' on the drum
They stepped so high and they made their bugles ring
We stood behind our cotton bales and didn't say a thing

We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin'
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they began to runnin'
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

Old Hickory said we could take 'em by surprise
If we didn't fire our muskets till we looked 'em in the eyes
We held our fire till we seed their faces well
Then we opened up our squirrel guns and gave 'em
Well, we

Fired our guns and the British kept a-comin'
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they began to runnin'
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

Yeah they ran through the briers and they ran through the brambles
And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go
They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

We fired our cannon till the barrel melted down
So we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round
We filled his head with cannonballs and powdered his behind
And when we touched the powder off, the gator lost his mind

We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin'
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they began to runnin'
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

Yeah they ran through the briers and they ran through the brambles
And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go
They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

New Orleans

You'll never know what heaven means until you've been down to New Orleans
You ain't been livin' till you cuddle and coo with some black-eyed baby by de old bayou
You've never seen you've never seen those Cupid doll queens like they got 'em in New Orleans
And they love you like no-one can it makes you awful glad that you were born a man.

If you ain't been there then you ain't been nowhere the living is lazy and the loving is fine
If you feel low down so help me Hannah you should lose the blues in Louisiana.
Get the lead out of your jeans and hot foot it down to where New Orleans
Louisiana baby tells you stay awhile
Live it up, love it up, southern style way down in New New Orleans.

Trouble

If you're looking for trouble you came to the right place
If you're looking for trouble just look right in my face
I was born standing up and talking back
My daddy was a green-eyed mountain jack
Because I'm evil, my middle name is misery
Well I'm evil, so don't you mess around with me

I've never looked for trouble but I've never ran
I don't take no orders from no kind of man
I'm only made out of flesh, blood and bone
But if you're gonna start a rumble don't you try it on alone
Because I'm evil, my middle name is misery
Well I'm evil, so don't you mess around with me

I'm evil, evil, evil, as can be I'm evil, evil, evil, as can be
So don't mess around don't mess around don't mess around with me
I'm evil, I'm evil, evil, evil so don't mess around, don't mess around with me
I'm evil, I tell you I'm evil so don't mess around with me

Down In New Orleans

Sweet Home New Orleans I can show enough here you call me feel that gentle rain falling
In the South Land, there's a city way down on the river
Where the women are very pretty and all the men deliver
They got music, it's always playing start in the day time, go all through the night
When you hear that music playing hear what I'm saying and make ya feel alright
Grab somebody, come on down bring your paintbrush, we're painting the town
There's some sweetness going around catch it down in New Orleans

We got magic, good and bad make it happen or make you real sad
Get everything you want or lose what you had down here in New Orleans
Partner, don't be shy come on down here and give us a try
You wanna do some living before you die do it down in New Orleans
Stately homes and mansions of the Sugar Barons and the Cotton Kings
Rich people, old people, all got dreams dreams do come true in New Orleans

Basin Street Blues

Won't you come along with me to the Mississippi
We'll take a boat to the land of dreams steam down the river, down to New Orleans
The band's there to meet us old friends there to greet us
Where all the proud and elite folks meet heaven on earth, they call it Basin Street

Basin Street is the street where the best folks always meet in New Orleans, land of dreams
You'll never know how nice it seems, or just how much it really means
Glad to be where welcome's free and dear to me where I can lose, lose my Basin Street Blues
Basin Street Basin Street is the street New Orleans, land of dreams

Going Back To New Orleans

Going back home to the land of the beautiful queen
Going back to home to my baby going back to New Orleans
Seeing nana, my parin cousin and my ma and pa
Want to plant my feet on Rampart Street be there for the Mardi Gras

Going back home and never more will I roam
Going get me fill of that etouffee because New Orleans is my home
Get some crawfish, jambalaya red beans and fine pralines
Get some loving that gonna satisfy home in New Orleans

Going back home in the land of the Carnival Queen
I'm going back home to my baby going back to New Orleans
I want go back home back where I'm little known you're home sweet home.
I want to see some on that Mardi Gras queen good red beans
I want to go back home home, sweet home home back to New Orleans
Going back home in the land of the Carnival Queen
I'm going back home to my baby going back to New Orleans

New Orleans

Come on everybody, take a trip with me
Well, down the Mississippi down to New Orleans
They got the Honeysuckle's blooming on the Honeysuckle vine
And love is blooming there all the time.
You know every Southern Bell is a Mississippi Queen
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans.

Come on take a stroll down to Basin Street
Listen to the music with the dixieland beat
Where the magnolia blossoms fill the air
And if you ain't been to heaven then you ain't been there.
They got the French moss hanging from a big oak tree
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans.

Come on everybody, take a trip with me
Well, down the Mississippi down to New Orleans
They got the Honeysuckle's blooming on the Honeysuckle vine
And love is blooming there all the time.
You know every Southern Bell is a Mississippi Queen
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans.

Matty Groves

A holiday, a holiday, and the first one of the year
Lord Darnell's wife came into church, the gospel for to hear
And when the meeting it was done, she cast her eyes about
And there she saw little Matty Groves, walking in the crowd
Come home with me, little Matty Groves, come home with me tonight
Come home with me, little Matty Groves, and sleep with me till light

Oh, I can't come home, I won't come home and sleep with you tonight
By the rings on your fingers I can tell you are Lord Darnell's wife
What if I am Lord Darnell's wife? Lord Darnell's not at home
For he is out in the far cornfields bringing the yearlings home
And a servant who was standing by and hearing what was said
He swore Lord Darnell he would know before the sun would set

And in his hurry to carry the news he bent his breast and ran
And when he came to the broad mill stream he took of his shoes and he swam
Little Matty Groves, he lay down and took a little sleep
When he awoke, Lord Darnell was standing at his feet
Saying How do you like my feather bed? And how do you like my sheets?
How do you like my lady who lies in your arms asleep?
Oh, well I like your feather bed, and well I like your sheets
But better I like your lady gay who lies in my arms asleep

Well, Get up, get up Lord Darnell cried Get up as quick as you can
It'll never be said in fair England that I slew a naked man
Oh, I can't get up, I won't get up, I can't get up for my life
For you have two long beaten swords and I not a pocket-knife
Well it's true I have two beaten swords, and they cost me deep in the purse
But you will have the better of them and I will have the worse
And you will strike the very first blow, and strike it like a man
I will strike the very next blow and I'll kill you if I can

So Matty struck the very first blow and he hurt Lord Darnell sore
Lord Darnell struck the very next blow and Matty struck no more
And then Lord Darnell he took his wife and he sat her on his knee
Saying Who do you like the best of us, Matty Groves or me?
And then up spoke his own dear wife, never heard to speak so free
I'd rather kiss from dead Matty's lips, than you with your finery
Lord Darnell he jumped up and loudly he did bawl
He struck his wife right through the heart and pinned her against the wall
A grave, a grave! Lord Darnell cried, to put these lovers in
But bury my lady at the top for she was of noble kin

A Sailor's Life

A sailor's life, it is a merry life
He robs young girls of their heart's delight
Leaving them behind to weep and mourn
They never know when they will return
"Well, there's four and twenty all in a row
My true love he makes the finest show
He's proper, tall, genteel withal
And if I don't have him, I'll have none at all"
"Oh, father build for me a bonny boat
That on the wide ocean I may float
And every Queen's ship that we pass by
There I'll inquire for my sailor boy"

They had not sailed long upon the deep
When a Queen's ship they chanced to meet
"You sailors all, pray tell me true
Does my sweet William sail among your crew?"
Oh no, fair maiden, he is not here
For he's been drowned, we greatly fear
On yon green island, as we passed it by
There we lost sight of your sailing boy"

Well, she wrung her hands and she tore her hair
She was like a young girl in great despair
And her little boat against a rock did run
"How can I live now? My sweet William is gone"