Traditional & Folk Songs with lyrics & midi music www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
The Exciseman in a Coal Pit 
The Exciseman in a Coal Pit 
I know that young folk Ilke to hear a new song Of something that's funny and not very long Concerning an exciseman, the truth I will tell Who thought one night was landed in hell. 
cho: And sing Fal de dal day sal dadie i-doo 
The exciscman went out for to look for his prey He met two or three smugglers upon the highway And gauging there liquors they had got to sell The exciseman got drunk for the truth I will tell. 
He got so drunk that he fell to the ground And like a fat sow he was forccd to lie down Just nigh to a coal pit the exciselnan did lie When four or five colliers by chance passed by. 
They shouldered him up and they carried him away Like a pedler's pack, without any delay And into a bucket they handed him down, This jolly exciseman they got underground. 
The exciseman awoke in a 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 regions below." 
"O what was you then in the world abovc?" "O I was a gauger, and few did me love But indeed Mr. Devil the truth I will tell For since I've got here I shall be what you will." 
"O then said the collier "it's here ye'll remain Ye'll never get out of this dark cell again For the gates they are shut and they'll bind you secure All this you must suffcr for robbing the poor." 
"O Mr. Devil have pity on me I'll ne'er go a-robbing the poor ye shall see If you would look over as you've done hefore I'll ne'er go a-robbing the poor any more." 
"Then give us a guinea to drink with demand Before ye get back to a Christian land" "O yes Mr. Devil," the gauger did say "For I long to get back to see the light of day." 
From The Grieg-Duncan Folk Song Collection