The Recruiting Officer, or, Over the Hills & Far Away/Poor Gaffer Gray
POOR GAFFER GRAY.
HO! Why doſt thou driver and ſhake,
Gaffer Gray?
And why does thy noſe look ſo blue?
“'Tis the weather that's cold,
“'Tis I'm grown very old,
“And my doublet is not very new,
“Well-a-day!
“And my doublet is not very new.”
Then line thy worn doublet with ale,
Gaffer Gray,
And warm thy old heart with a glaſs:
“Hay, but credit I've none,
“And my money's all gone,
“Then ſay how may this come to paſs,
“Well-a-day!" etc
Hie away to the houſe on the brow,
Gaffer Gray,
And knock at the jolly prieſt's door;
“The prieſt preaches,
“Againſt worldly riches,
“But ne'er gives a mite to the poor,
“Well-a-day! etc
The Lawyer lives under the hill,
Gaffer Gray,
Warmly fenc'd both in back and in front,
“He'll faſten the locks,
“And will threaten the ſtocks,
“Should be ever more find me in want,
“Well-a-day!” etc.
The 'Squire has good beef and brown ale,
Gaffer Gray,
And the ſeaſon will welcome you there;
“The fat beef and his beer,
“And his merry New Year,
“Are all for the fluſh and the fair,
“Well-a-day!” etc
My keg is but low, I confeſs,
Gaffer Gray,
What then, while it laſts man, we'll live;
“The poor man alone,
“When he hears the poor moan,
“Of his morſel a morſel will give,
“Well-a-day!” etc.