Sir Neil and Glengyle, the Highand chieftains (1)/The drunken exciseman
THE DRUNKEN EXCISEMAN.
———
I know that young folks like to hear & new song,
Of something that's funny and not very long,
It is of an Exciseman, the truth I will tell,
Who thought that one night he was going to hell.
Fal de lal, &c.
One night he went out to look for his prey,
He did meet with some smugglers as I heard them say,
In tasting the liquors they were going to sell,
The Exciseman got drunk, the truth I will tell.
He got so intoxicated, he fell to the ground,
And like a fat sow he was forced to lie down,
Just nigh to a coal pit the Exciseman did lie,
When four or five colliers by chance did come by.
They shouldered him up, and hoised him away,
Like a pedlar's pack without any dclay,
Into the bucket they handed him down,
This jolly Exciseman they got under ground.
The Exciseman awakened with terrible fear,
Up started a collier, says, what brought you here?
Indeed, Mr. Devil, I don't very well know,
But I think I am come to the regions below.
Says the collier, what was you in the world above ?
I was an Exciseman, and few did me love;
Indeed, Mr. Devil, the truth I will tell,
Since I have got here, I will be what you will.
Since you're an Exciseman, here you must remain,
You will never get out of this dark cell again;
The gates they are fast, and bind you secure,
All this you must suffer for robbing the poor.
Indeed, Mr, Devil, if you'll pity me,
No more will I rob the poor you shall see;
If you will look over as you've done before,
I never will rob the poor any more.
Come, give me your money which now I demand,
Before you can get to the Christian land;
O yes, Mr. Devil, the Exciseman did say,
I wish to get back for to see light of day.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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