Traditional & Folk Songs with lyrics & midi music www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
Give Ear to a Frolicksome Ditty 
Give Ear to a Frolicksome Ditty 
Give ear to a frolicksome ditty Of one who a wager would lay, He'd pass every watch in the city And never a word would he say, but
 Dal dera rara dal dara etc. 
"Stand! Stand!" says the bellman The constable now come before, And if a just story you tell, man, I'll light you home to your own door. 
"This is a very late season Which surely no honest men keep And therefore it is but just reason That you in the Compter should sleep." 
The constable on the next day, sir, This comical matter to clear The gentleman hurried away, sir, Before my Lord Mayor to appear. 
"My Lord, give ear to my story, While I the truth do relate The gentleman standing before you Was seiz'd by me at Cripplegate. 
I nothing could hear but his singing Wherefore in the Compter he lay And therefore this morning I bring him To hear what your Lordship will say." 
O then out bespoke my Lord's daughter And for him did thus intercede: "Dear father, you'll hear that, hereafter, This is but a wager, indeed." 
"Well, daughter, I grant your petition The gentleman home may repair But yet, 'tis on this condition Of paying my officers there." 
Thus seeing he might be released If he his fees did but pay He then was very well pleased And so he went singing away. 
From Popular Music of the Olden Time, Chappell Tine used in The Beggar's Opera