The Chickaleary Cove [Notes] [c. 1864]
I
I’m a ‘Chickaleary bloke’ with my one, two, three, [1]
Whitechapel was the village I was born in,
For to get me on the hop, or on my tibby drop, [2]
You must wake up very early in the morning.
I have a rorty gal, also a knowing pal, [3]
And merrily together we jog on,
I doesn’t care a flatch, as long as I’ve a tach, [4]
Some pannum for my chest, and a tog on. [5]
I’m a Chickaleary bloke with my one, two, three,
Whitechapel was the village I born in,
For to get me on the hop, or on my tibby drop,
You must wake up very early in the morning.
II
Now kool my downy kicksies—the style for me, [6]
Built on a plan werry naughty,
The stock around my squeeze a guiver colour see, [7]
And the vestat with the bins so rorty, [8]
My tailor serves you well, from a perger to a swell, [9]
At Groves’s you’re safe to make a sure pitch, [10]
For ready yenom down, there ain’t a shop in town, [11]
Can lick Groves in The Cut as well as Shoreditch. [12]
I’m a Chickaleary bloke, etc.
III
Off to Paris I shall go, to show a thing or two
To the dipping blokes what hangs about the caffes, [13]
How to do a cross-fam, for a super, or a slang, [14]
And to bustle them grand’armes I’d give the office:
Now my pals I’m going to slope, see you soon again, I hope,
My young woman is awaiting, so be quick;
Now join in a chyike, the jolly we all like, [15]
I’m off with a party to the Vic.
I’m a Chickaleary bloke, etc.
[1: Whitechapel swell] [2: got the better of me] [3: flashly dressed; clever] [4: halfpenny; hat] [5: eatables; coat] [6: look; trousers flashy cut] [7: neck; flash] [8: vest; pockets] [9: teetotaller] [10: place] [11: money] [12: beat] [13: pickpockets] [14: watch; chain] [15: salute; shout]