Come all you bold heroes attend to my song,
I'll sing in the praise of good brandy and rum,
Here's a clear crystal fountain over England shall roll,
Give to me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl.
Chorus:
I'll fathom the bowl, I'll fathom the bowl.
Give to me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl.
From France we get brandy, from Jamaica comes rum,
Sweet oranges and lemons from Portugal come,
Strong beer and good cider in England is sold,
Give to me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl.
My wife she's a tyrant, she sits at her ease,
She scolds and she grumbles, she does as she please,
She may scold, she may grumble till she's black as the coal,
Give to me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl.
My father he lies in the depths of the sea,
Cold rocks for his pillow - what matter to he!
Here's a clear crystal fountain over England shall roll,
Give to me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl.
abc | midi | pdf
Source: Purslow, F, (1968), The Wanton Seed, EDFS, London
Notes:
Frank Purslow's notes were:
Gardiner H. 587. Tune and text (except first verse) from Henry Adams of Basingstoke. First verse from a broadside. A song which has recently become popular from the singing of the Watersons family of Hull. A very good example of a 19th century "arty" drinking song. The tune is based on an Irish "come-all-ye" which has also done service as Polly Perkins, Cushie Butterfield, Pretty Susan the Pride of Kildare, Nightingales Sing and Nancy. The usual tune for The Rout is Come for the Blues is also very similar. The "clear (or cold) crystal fountain" is supposed to refer to winter storms.
Roud: 880 (Search Roud index at VWML) Take Six
Laws:
Child:
Related Songs: The Rout it is come for the Blues (melodic)