Songs, comic and satyrical :: :: University of Virginia Library

Come Liberty, damme boys, but we'll be free,
Tho' Care kill'd a cat, what care I?
I'll hold six to four, only say done to me,
Like a Soul I have liv'ed, and I'll dye.
My brave boys.

They sent me to college, I didn't mind that,
To teach me to preach and to pray;
I woudn't be humm'd, I saw what they were at,
So my eye upon all they can say.

As to pulpit palaver, why, that's all a flam,
No priestcraft shall e'er do for me:
I will, or I won't, a free agent I am,
And I'll only believe what I see.

May lovers of Claret, aye, Claret's the thing,
To drink it without any tax;
I don't mind the bother 'bout Subject and King,
But custom-free that's all I ax.

If Clergy, and Commons, and Lords will but join,
Our national debts to pay off,
And let us free Gratis have women and wine,
Why then we may do well enough.

In half-pints the Parl'ament-house then I'll toast,
And George too, upon my bare knee;
I don't care which side, nor if none rule the roast,
So I've but my fun and am free.

But now they're sad times, for our freedom is gone,
Since we to bumbailiffs submit;
Bill o' Rights! damn all bills, for the nation's undone
By that General Warrant, a Writ.

We must be made slaves if they don't put a stop
To Lawyers, the Justice, and all;
For if in Old England we don't keep it up,
Why then, to be sure, it must fall.

When I dye—but that's queer—and to think on't is dull,
So as to this here, or that there,
Let me go where I will, if my bottle is full,
And I get but a girl, I don't care.

If Master Death thrusts himself into my room,
They tell me, he always makes free;
I'll try if I can't tip old Boney a hum,
If not, why, may-hap he hums me.

As I told you before, I'm resolv'd not to think,
So I cannot a sentiment give,
However, my Souls, while we live let us drink,
Because while we're drinking we live,
My brave boys.