18th Century Songbook | 2nd-nj-regiment

Tavern Songbook of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment

All For Me Grog

CHORUS:

Well it's all for me grog, me jolly, jolly grog

It's all for me beer and tobacco

For I spent all me tin on the lassies drinking gin

Far across the western ocean I must wander

Where are me boots, me noggin', noggin' boots?

They're all gone for beer and tobacco

For the heels they are worn out and the toes are kicked about

And the soles are looking out for better weather

CHORUS

Where is me shirt, my noggin', noggin' shirt?

It's all gone for beer and tobacco

For the collar is all worn, and the sleeves they are all torn

And the tail is looking out for better weather

CHORUS

I'm sick in the head and I haven't been to bed

Since first I came ashore with me slumber

For I spent all me dough on the lassies movin' slow

Far across the Western Ocean I must wander

***

Pleasant and Delightful

It was pleasant and delightful on a mid summer’s morn

When the green fields and meadows were buried in corn.

And the Blackbirds and Thrushes sang on every green Tree

And the Larks, they sang melodious, at the Dawning of the Day

And the Larks, they sang melodious, (repeat 3 times)

At the Dawning of the Day

Well the Sailor and his true Love were out walking one day.

Said the Sailor to his true Love; I am bound far away.

I am bound for the East Indies, where the load Cannons roar,

And I’m leaving my Nancy; She’s the one that I adore.

And I’m leaving my Nancy, (repeat 3 times)

She’s the one that I adore.

Said the Sailor to his true Love; well I must be on me way.

The Topsails are hoisted and anchors aweigh.

Our big Ship lies waiting for a sail with the tide.

And if ever we should meet again, then I’ll make of you my Bride.

And if ever we should meet again, (repeat 3 times)

then I’ll make of you my Bride.

Then the ring from her finger, She instantly drew,

Saying, Take this dear Georgie and my Heart will go too.

And as he was embracing her, tears from her Eyes fell,

Saying may I go along with you? Oh no me Love, farewell.

Saying may I go along with you? (repeat 3 times)

Oh no me Love, farewell.

***

The Mole Catcher

In Wellington Town at the sign of the plow,

There lived a mole-catcher, can I tell Ye now?

He had a young Wife, she was buxom and gay,

And She and another young Farmer would play.

Yo-- di lie day, low di lie diddle, lie low die li day

The Farmer, he knocked on her Door and did say,

Where’s is the mole-catcher, Dear Woman I pray?

He’s out catching moles, you need have no fear.

But she didn’t know the mole-catcher was near.

Yo-- di lie day, low di lie diddle, lie low die li day

He crept up the stairs in the midst of their frolic,

The mole-catcher caught him right out by his jacket,

Said – I’ve been a mole-catcher for most of me life,

But here’s the biggest mole I’ve ever caught in me life!

Yo-- di lie day, low di lie diddle, lie low die li day

Well, I’ll make you pay dearly for till’n me ground,

I’ll take from your pocket a full 20 pounds.

20 pounds says the Farmer is really quite fine,

For it only works out to about a tuppence a time.

Yo-- di lie day, low di lie diddle, lie low die li day

Yo-- di lie day, low di lie diddle, lie low die li day---- WOOHHH!

***

The Girl I Left Behind Me

I'm lonesome since I crossed the hill,

And o'er the moor and valley,

Such grievous thoughts my heart do fill,

Since parting with my Sally.

I seek no more the fine or gay,

For each does but remind me,

How swift the hours did pass away,

With the girl I've left behind me.

Oh, ne'er shall I forget the night,

The stars were bright above me,

And gently lent their silvery light,

When first she vowed to love me.

But now I'm bound to Brighton Camp,

Kind heaven, then, pray guide me,

And send me safely back again,

To the girl I've left behind me.

Her golden hair in ringlets fair,

Her eyes like diamonds shining;

Her slender waist with carriage chaste,

Must leave the swan repining.

Ye gods above, oh hear my prayer,

To my beauteous fair to bind me,

And send me safely back again,

To the girl I've left behind me.

My mind her form shall still retain,

In sleeping or in walking,

Until I see my love again,

For whom my heart is breaking.

If ever I return that day,

And she should not decline me,

I evermore will live and stay,

With the girl I've left behind me

***

Bonnie Charlie

Bonnie Charlie's gone awa'

Safely o'er the friendly main

And many's the heart would break in twa

Should he no' come back again?

CHORUS:

And will ye no come back again?

Will ye no come back again?

Better loved ya cannot be

Will ye no come back again?

Whenever I hear the blackbird sing

Unto the evening sinking down

Or thrush that makes the woods to ring

To me there is no other sound

CHORUS

And many's the gallant warrior fought

Many's the gallant chief did fall

And death itself was dearly bought

All for Scotland's king and laird

CHORUS

And now they lay broke, note and song

Lilting wildly up the glen

And these were the words of his sweet song

"Will ye no' come back again?"

CHORUS

***

The Old Soldiers of The King

Since you all must have singing and won't be said, "Nay,"

I cannot refuse when you beg and you pray.

I will sing you a song as a poet might say,

Of King George's old soldiers who ne'er run away.

CHORUS:

We're the old soldiers of the King,

And the King's own regulars.

At Lexington we met with Rebels one day,

We got ourselves up in our finest array,

Our heads bid us stand, and our hearts bid us stay,

But our legs were strong-minded and took us away.

CHORUS

They fought so unfairly from back of the trees,

If they'd only fought open we'd have beat them with ease,

They can fight one another that way, if they please,

But we don't have to stand for such tactics as these.

CHORUS

We marched into Princeton with fifes and with drums,

With muskets and cannons, with swords and with bombs,

This great expedition cost infinite sums

But some underpaid Doodles, they cut us to crumbs.

CHORUS

Our general staff planned the Yankee's defeat,

With stealth we'd surprise them the next time we'd meet,

We marched, not expecting that we might be beat,

So the generals' plan of surprise was complete.

CHORUS

Tis true that we turned, but that shouldn't disgrace us,

We did it to prove that the foe couldn't face us,

And they've nothing to boast, it's a very plain case,

Though we lost in the fight, we came first in the race.

CHORUS

***

Over The Hills and Far Away

Hark now the drums beat up again
For all true soldier gentlemen
So let us list and march I say
And go over the hills and far away

CHORUS:
Over the hills, and o'er the main
To Flanders, Portugal and Spain
Queen Anne commands and we'll obey
over the hills and far away

There's twenty shillings on the drum
For him that with us freely comes
'Tis volunteers shall win the day
Over the hills and far away

CHORUS

Come gentlemen that have a mind
To serve a queen that's good and kind
Come list and enter in to pay
And go over the hills and far away

CHORUS

And we shall live more happy lives
Free of squalling brats and wives
Who nag and vex us every day
So its over the hills and far away

CHORUS

Prentice Tom may well refuse
To wipe his angry master's shoes
For now he's free to run and play
Over the hills and far away

CHORUS

No more from sound of drum retreat
When Marlborough and Galway beat
The French and Spaniards every day
Over the hills and far away

CHORUS

***

Free America (18th)

That Seat of Science Athens,

And Earth's great Mistress Rome,

Where now are all their Glories,

We scarce can find their Tomb;

Then guard your Rights, Americans!

Nor stoop to lawless Sway,

Oppose, oppose, oppose, oppose,

My brave America.

Proud Albion bow'd to Caesar,

And num'rous Lords before,

To Picts, to Danes, to Normans,

And many Masters more;

But we can boast Americans!

We never fell a Prey;

Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza,

For brave America.

We led fair Freedom hither,

When lo the Desart smil'd,

A paradise of pleasure,

Was open'd in the Wild;

Your Harvest, bold Americans!

No power shall snatch away,

Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza,

For brave America.

Torn from a World of Tyrants,

Beneath this western Sky,

We form'd a new Dominion,

A Land of liberty;

The World shall own their masters here,

Then hasten on the Day,

Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza,

For brave America.

God bless this maiden Climate,

And thro' her vast Domain,

Let Hosts of Heroes cluster,

Who scorn to wear a Chain;

And blast the venal Sycophant,

Who dares our Rights betray.

Preserve, preserve, preserve, preserve

My brave America.

Lift up your Heads my Heroes!

And swear with proud Disdain,

The Wretch that would enslave you,

Shall spread his Snares in vain;

Should Europe empty all her force,

Wou'd meet them in Array,

And shout, and shout, and shout, and shout,

For brave America!

Some future Day shall crown us,

The Masters of the Main,

And giving Laws and Freedom,

To subject France and Spain;

When all the Isles o'er Ocean spread

Shall tremble and obey,

Their Lords, their Lords, their Lords, their Lords

Of brave America.

***

War and Washington

Vain Britons, boast no longer, with proud indignity,

By land your conquering legions, your matchless strength at sea,

Since we, your braver sons incensed, our swords have girded on,

Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, for war and Washington.

Urged on by North and vengeance, those valiant champions came,

Loud bellowing "Tea and Treason," and George was all on flame;

Yet sacrilegious as it seems, we rebels still live on,

And laugh at all their empty puffs, huzza for Washington!

Great heavens! Is this the nation whose thundering arms were hurled

Through Europe, Africa, India? Whose navy ruled a world?

The lustre of your former deeds, whole ages of renown,

Lost in a moment, or transferred to us and Washington!

Yet think not thirst of glory unsheathes our vengeful swords

To rend your bands asunder, or cast away your cords,

'Tis heaven-born freedom fires us all, and strengthens each brave son,

For him who humbly guides the plough to god-like Washington.

Should warlike weapons fail us, disdaining slavish fears,

To swords we'll beat our ploughshares, our pruning-hooks to spears,

And rush, all desperate, on our foe, nor breathe till battle won,

Then shout, and shout America! and conquering Washington!

***

Jack Hall

Oh my name it is Jack Hall,
Chimney sweep, chimney sweep,
Oh my name it is Jack Hall, chimney sweep.
Oh my name it is Jack Hall,
And I've robb'd both great and small,
And my neck shall pay for all
When I die, when I die,
And my neck shall pay for all when I die.

I have twenty pounds in store,
that's no joke, that's no joke,
I have twenty pounds in store, that's no joke.
I have twenty pounds in store
And I'll rob for twenty more,
And my neck shall pay for all
When I die, when I die,
And my neck shall pay for all when I die.

O they tell me that in goal
I shall die, I shall die
O they tell me that in goal, I shall die.
O they tell me that in goal
I shall drink no more brown ale,
But be dash'd if ever I fail
Til I die, til I die
But be dash'd if ever I fail till I die.

O I rode up Tyburn Hill
In a cart, in a cart
O I rode up Tyburn Hill in a cart.
O I rode up Tyburn Hill,
and 'twas there I made my will,
Saying, "The best of friends must part,
So, farewell, so, farewell."
Saying, "The best of friends must part
So, farewell."

Up the ladder I did grope,
that's no joke, that's no joke
Up the ladder I did grope, that's no joke.
Up the ladder I did grope,
and the hangman spread the rope,
O but never a word said I,
coming down, coming down,
O never a word said I coming down

***

What a Court Hath Old England

What a court hath old England, of folly and sin,
Spite of Chatham and Camden, Barre, Burke, Wilkes and Glynn!
Not content with the game act, they tax fish and sea,
And America drench with hot water and tea.