Part 48 (1/2)

That morning forget I will never, When first I saw him on the Kee, The 'Keel-row' he whistled se clever, He won my affections frae me; His drawers on his doup luik'd se canny, His keel-hat was c.o.c.k'd on his head, And if I'd not getten my Jimmy, Faith by this time I wad hae been dead.

O wad the keel, &c.

The first time I spoke to my Jimmy-- Now mind ye, it isn't a lee-- My mother had gi'en me a penny, To get her a penn'orth o' tea; When a lad i' the street cried out, 'Bessy!'

Says I, 'Hinny, that's not my nyem.'

'Becrike! never mind,' he said, 'la.s.sie, 'To-neet I will see thee safe hyem.'

O wad the keel, &c.

Since then I have been his true-lover, And lov'd him as dear as my life, And in spite o' baith father and mother, I'll suin be my keel-laddie's wife; How happy we'll be then together, When he brings hyem his wages to me, Wiv his bonny bit bairn crying 'Father,'

And another be lying o' my knee.

O wad the keel, &c.

AN OLD AND CURIOUS SONG,

_On the late Mr. R. Clayton being made an Alderman._

Tune--”The Vicar and Moses.”

My good Mr. Pun, We know you like fun, And also to crack a good joke; 'Tis well known in the nation, That our Corporation Has long lain under a cloak.

Fal lal de ral, &c.

But after your year, How strange 'twill appear, (Pray Heaven it prove for your good,) To all the whole nation, That our Corporation Will then crouch under a _Hood_.[42]

Now, we poor folks, Who're not us'd to jokes, But with the sweets take the bitters-- The folks in our station Think our Corporation Has long been outfitted by Fitters.

Oh, Watty! Oh, Watty![43]

Shouldst thou now see _Natty_, And his clan, how thickly they lay't on; You'd say, in their order, Mayor, Commons, Recorder, Are all now outwitted by _Cl----n_.

From the days of good _Walters_, To his who makes halters,[44]

Such changes have here taken place, That from its high station, Our poor Corporation Has sunk into abject disgrace.

When the Alderman's gown Was hawk'd about town, And none would be found for to lay't on, Up stepp'd brother Bob, And settled the job, And he was dubb'd Alderman _C----n_.

Yet think not, that though such, He'll quit the Town's Hutch, Or any thing there let miscarry; Still there he'll give law, Rule by his _cat's paw_, The ever obliging _Old Harry_.

Ye honest electors, Our faithful protectors, In you there can never be blame; As by following the Mayor.

And supporting the chair, We always must vote for the same.

Ye sc.u.m of the bowl, In vain you may growl, Like the swinish group in a storm, Nat will rule the roast, And still make a boast, That danger lies not in Reform.[45]

Footnote 42: Alderman Hood.

Footnote 43: Ald. Blackett.