Traditional & Folk Songs with lyrics & midi music www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
Arthur McBride 
Arthur McBride 
I once had a comrade named Arthur McBride as we were a-walking along the seaside As we were a-walking to bathe in the tide It was on a fine summer's morning 
As we were awalking along the sea sand 
We met Sergeant Napier and Corporal O'Hand And a little wee drummer called Patrick McDan They were going to the fair in the morning 
O Arthur, my lad, if you would but list Five guineas in gold I would clap in your fist 
Besides five shilling to kick up the dust And drink the king's health in the morning 
Na faith, says Arthur, I ken it mysel' I winna gae wi you to rin at your tail I winna gae wi you to rin at your tail 
And be at your command in the morning 
O, if you go with us, I'm sure you'll go clean We're not like poor fellows goes dirty and mean We're not like poor fellows goes dirty and mean Gets nothing but gruel in the morning 
Ye needna be chattin' aboot your fine pay As you go a-marchin' and trampin' away For all that ye hae is a shilling a day To get you some chat in the morning 
Ye needna be chattin' aboot your fine clothes 
Ye've only the len o them as I suppose Ye daurna sell them in spite o your nose Or you will get flogged in the morning 
I'm blessed said the sergeant, if I'll take more of that From you or from any young cow-feeding brat 
And if you tip me any more of your chat I will run you thru in the morning 
But before they time to draw out their blades Our whacking shillelaghs came over their heads We soon let them see that we were their blades 
That could temper their pows in the morning 
As for the wee drummer we tempered his pow And made a football o his row-didi-dow And kicket it in to the ocean to row And take a bit bathe in the morning 
And as for the weapons that hung by their sides We took them and pitched them far out in the tide May the deil gae wi them, said Arthur McBride If ever we see them returning
 FROM Gavin Grieg's "Songs of Northeast" recorded on David Jones Easy and Slow
 and Carthy and Swarbrick Prince Heathen SOF