The Jolly Tinker
Sung by Thomas Moran.
Recorded by Seamus Ennis in Mohill, County Leitrim, Ireland, in 1954.
As I went down a shady lane,at a door I chanced to knock.
The servant she came to the door
and axed me could I stop,
Or could I mend a rusty hole that never had a drop.
Well, indeed, I could, don't you know I can?
To me right-fol-looral-laddy, well, indeed, I can.
She brought me through the kitchen,
and she brought me through the hall,
And the servants cried, "The Devil!
Are you going to block us all?"
Well, indeed, I'm not, don't you know I'm not? (Etc.)
She brought me up the stairs for to show me what to do.
She fell on the feather bed, and I fell on it, too.
Well, indeed I did, don't you know I did? (Etc.)
She took up the frying pan, and she began to knock,
O then for to let the servants know
that I was at me work.
Well, indeed, I was, don't you know I was? (Etc.)
She put her hand into her pocket,
and she pulled out fifty pound,
Sayin', "Take this, me jolly tinker,
and we'll have an-other round."
Well, indeed I will, don't you know I will? (Etc.)
She put her hand into her pocket,
and she pulled out her gold watch,
Saying, "Take this, me jolly tinker,
for I know you are no botch."
Well, indeed I'm not, don't you know I'm not? (Etc.)
Now I'm a jolly tinker this forty years or more,
And such a rusty hole as that I never blocked before,
Well indeed I didn't, don't you know I didn't. (Etc.)