I Beg Your Leave

I beg your leave, kind gentlemen and ladies of renown
If you please to give us room, we will sing to you a song
If you please to give us room, we will sing to you a song
And I'll call on me comrades, I'll call them one by one.

Cho: For we're jolly boys, we do no harm, wherever we may go
And we've come a pace-egging as you very well do know.

And the first that does come in: he is a bloomin'youth
He courts all the pretty girls, he always tells them truth
He says he'll never deceive 'em, be always kind and true
And it's his delight both day and night, the suppin'of strong brew.

And the next that does come in: he is a sailor brave
He says he's ploughed the ocean and split the briney wave
He says he has got gold and he says he has got store
He says he'll marry a pretty girl and go to sea no more.

And the next that does come in: he is a roving blade
You'll find him where the ladies are, for he is such a jade
Red, rosy cheeks are his delight, both beautiful and fair
And if you want a sweetheart you must go to Overton fair.

And the last that does come in: it is Miss Kitty, fair
She takes a great delight in the curllng of her hair
She has a basket all on her arms, she has no stores put in
But it's her delight, both day and night, the suppin'of strong gin.

And now you've seen us all: think of us as you'll find
If you please to give a trifle, it would be very kind
Cheer up your spirits while we drink a glass of beer
For we'll sup your health and store your wealth until the very
next year.

From singing of Cliff Haslam
RG