The Croppy Tailor
There was an old tailor he lived in Fairmye,
And on that old doughnut he did fix his eye;
He swore he would marry her or else he would die,
While the keeper was out upon duty. As sung by Danny Brazil 12 May 1966 and 5 January 1967 (Springthyme 66.6.9 & 67.1.25) In: Shepheard, Peter. Folk Songs and Ballads of the Brazil Family of Gloucester (1967).
There was an old tailor he lived in Fairmye,
And on that old doughnut he did fix his eye;
He swore he would marry her or else he would die,
While the keeper was out upon duty.
He said, “Dearest woman your husband’s on the deep,
Ten guineas I’ll give this night with you to sleep;
For into the room I will silently creep,
While your husband is out upon duty.”
They stripped off their clothes and jumped into bed,
The thoughts of the trooper never ran in his head;
“Oh hide me, oh hide me,” the poor tailor said,
“For I hear the bold knock of the trooper.”
“There is an old cupboard stands behind the hall door,
For its in it you gets, you’ll be safe and secure;
And I will go down and I’ll open the door,
And welcome my husband the trooper.”
Then she went down and he opened the door,
With kisses and comforts like man and wife sure;
“Your kisses and comforts they make me full sore,
Will you light me fire to my supper?”
She said, “Dearest husband there is no fire stuff,
If you jump in bed with me you’ll be quite warm enough.”
“There is an old cupboard stands behind the hall door,
And I’ll burn it tonight,” said the trooper.
“Oh husband, oh husband, oh grant my desire,
The old corner cupboard’s too good for the fire;
And in it I keep my gamecock I admire”
“Show me your gamecock!” said the trooper.
He hauled the old cupboard from behind the hall door,
And he hauled the little tailor right out on the floor,
Saying, “Is this your gamecock?” said the trooper.
He asked for the sethers and then for the shears,
And he clipped off the tips of the poor tailor’s ears;
He give him a kick and a bash and a blow,
And away run the poor croppy tailor.
He said, “My dear man you have cropped me all right,
But I’ve had your old wife for the most of the night.”
And away run the poor croppy tailor.
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