From the recording Arthur MacBride
Lyrics
Traditional
I had a first cousin called Arthur Mcbride
He and I took a stroll down by the seaside
A seeking good fortune and what might the tide, Being just as the day was a dawning
Then after resting we both took a tram, And we met Sargent Harper and Corporal Cram
And besides a we drummer who beat up our camp, With his rowdy dou dou in the morning
He said my young fellows if you will enlist, A guinea you quickly will have in your fist
And besides a crown for to kick up the dust, And a drink the king’s health in the morning
Had we been such fools as to take the advance
With the wee bit of money we’d have to run chance
‘Do ye think it no scruples for to send us to France
Where we would be killed in the morning
He say’s my young fellows if I hear but one word
I will instantly will out with my sword
And into your bodies as strength will support, So now my gay devils take warning
But Arthur and I we took the odds
And we gave them no chance for to launch out their swords
Our whacking shillelaghs came over their heads, And paid them right smart in the morning
As for the young drummer we rifled his pouch, And we made a football of his rowdy dou dou
And into the ocean to rock and roll, And barring the day it’s returning
As for the rapier that hung by his side, We flung it as far as we could in the tide
To the devil I pit you says Arthur McBride, To temper your steel in the morning