You've Got to Hit the Bullseye

Bob Lewis: On Autumn Harvest ah09: Bob Lewis: Drive Sorrows Away. Recorded at the Fife Traditional Singing Festival May 2009.

A song, also called The Shooting Gallery, that has not often been collected. Bob learned the song from Alfie Ainger who had been landlord since 1901 of the Royal Oak at Hook's Way, hidden away in a remote area of the Downs of West Sussea (Roud 1568).

1: It’s through a shooting gallery I’m settled now for life,
For there I first beheld the girl I since have made my wife;
She held a rifle in her hand in such a winning way,
And when I took it from her she smilingly did say:

Chorus:
“You’ve got to hit the bullseye before you ring the bell,
Take a steady aim love and try to do it well;
Hold your rifle higher and don’t let it misfire,
You’ve got to hit the bullseye before you ring the bell.”

2: Now I quickly fired the rifle but I failed to ring the bell,
Although I tried, it was no use, how it was I cannot tell;
I did as she instructed me and for a shot paid her,
In such a coaxing manner she whispered in my ear:
You’ve got to hit the bullseye before etc

3: Now I kept on firing but I found that bull’s-eye far too small,
Although I tried it was no use, it wasn’t hit at all;
And then she said, “Try one more shot, for really you can’t tell,
The next time that you fire your gun perhaps you’ll ring the bell.”
You’ve got to hit the bullseye before etc

4: And now to tell the truth my friends, I’ll cut my story short,
I’m married and I’m now at home, I’ve got some proper sport;
I’ve got a shooting gallery in a garret near the sky,
And when I look out of the window the neighbours quickly cry:

Chorus:
“You’ve got to hit the bullseye before you ring the bell,
Take a steady aim love and try to do it well;
Hold your rifle higher and don’t let it misfire,
You’ve got to hit the bullseye before you ring the bell.”

c p 2010 Autumn Harvest : www.springthyme.co.uk