The Sandman’s Wedding [B. 1789]
[A Cantata by G. Parker (?)].
Recitative.
As Joe the sandman drove his noble team
Of raw-rump’d jennies, “Sand-ho!” was his theme:
Just as he turned the corner of the drum, [1]
His dear lov’d Bess, the bunter, chanc’d to come; [2]
With joy cry’d “Woa”, did turn his quid and stare,
First suck’d her jole, then thus addressed the fair. [3]
Air.
I
Forgive me if I praise those charms
Thy glaziers bright, lips, neck, and arms [4]
Thy snowy bubbies e’er appear
Like two small hills of sand, my dear:
Thy beauties, Bet, from top to toe
Have stole the heart of Sandman Joe.
II
Come wed, my dear, and let’s agree,
Then of the booze-ken you’ll be free; [5]
No sneer from cully, mot, or froe [6]
Dare then reproach my Bess for Joe;
For he’s the kiddy rum and queer, [7]
That all St. Giles’s boys do fear
Recitative.
With daylights flashing, Bess at length reply’d, [8]
Must Joey proffer this, and be deny’d?
No, no, my Joe shall have his heart delight
And we’ll be wedded ere we dorse this night; [9]
“Well lipp’d,” quoth Joe, “no more you need to say”—[10]
“Gee-up! gallows, do you want my sand to-day?”
Air.
I
Joe sold his sand, and cly’d his cole, sir, [11]
While Bess got a basket of rags,
Then up to St. Giles’s they roll’d, sir,
To every bunter Bess brags:
Then into a booze-ken they pike it, [12]
Where Bess was admitted we hear;
For none of the coves dare but like it,
As Joey, her kiddy, was there.
II
Full of glee, until ten that they started,
For supper Joe sent out a win;
A hog’s maw between them was parted,
And after they sluic’d it with gin:
It was on an old leather trunk, sir,
They married were, never to part;
But Bessy, she being blind drunk, sir,
Joe drove her away in his cart.
[1: street] [2: rag-gatherer] [3: kissed her] [4: eyes] [5: ale-house] [6: fellow, girl, or wife] [7: brave and cute] [8: eyes] [9: sleep] [10: spoken] [11: pocketed his money] [12: go]