Arthur Mcbride and the Sergeant(feat. Dave Swarbrick) - Martin Carthy/Dave Swarbrick

I once knew a fellow called Arthur Mcbride

And his pleasure was walking down by the seaside

A walking a talking a viewing the tide

Though the weather was pleasant and charming

So gay and so gallant we went on our tramp

We met Sergeant Harper and Corporal Gramp

And the bonny little drummer who roused up the camp

With his rowdeedowdow in the morning

What ho me good fellows the sergeant did cry

The same to you sergeant we made to reply

There was nothing more said and we made to pass by

All on that bright summer's morning

What ho me good fellows if you would enlist

Ten guineas in gold I would slap in your fist

And a crown in the bargain to kick up the dust

And to drink the king's health in the morning

Oh no me good sergeant we are not for sale

Though we're fond of our country your bribes won't avail

Though we're fond of our country we care not to sail

For we are the boys of the morning

If you would insult me without any word

I swear by me king I would draw me broadsword

And I'd run through your body as strength me affords

Ere you could breathe out the morning

Oh we laid the little drummer as flat as a shoe

We made a football of his rowdeedowdoo

The sergeant the corporal we knocked out the two

For we were the boys of the morning

And as for the weapons that hung by their side

We flung them as far as we could in the tide

And the devil go with you says Arthur Mcbride

For spoiling our walk in the morning