Chapter I: SEE’D yer turn the other day

To watch a chap go by, Because he wore a uniform, And held his shoulders high. And then yer wouldn’t even smile, Or say a word to I!

A kid he was, all pink and white, And strutting like a chick, A tassel at his silly side, And carrying a stick. And yet yer thought the world o’ him, And started breathin’ quick—

The same as when I kissed yer first, Oh! maybe you forget! But you was desperate sweet on I, I mind yer blushes yet. But now yer says me hands are rough, Me coat will never set.

Me hands they bean’t lily white, Me coat may not be trim, But you may know, if fightin’ comes, I’ll fight as well as him, Although they pad his shoulders out To make his waist look slim.

I haven’t got no buttons on A showy coat of red; I haven’t got no soldier’s cap To wear upon me head. But I can love yer just the same, When all be done and said!

XII

IN THE CITY

OH! City girls are pale-like, And proud-like, and cold-like, And nineteen out of twenty Have never been our way. I tells them of the tall hills, The green hills, the old hills, Where hawthorns are a-blossoming, And thrushes call all day.

Oh! London is a fine place, A big place, a rich place, Where nineteen out of twenty Of all the girls are fair. But well I knows a white road, A long road, a straight road, That leads me into Bosbury; I’m wishing I was there!

XIII