Broom Busoms
Besoms, so pronounced.
If ye want a busom,
For to sweep your house;
Come to me, my lasses,
Ye ma ha’ your choose.
Buy broom busoms,
Buy them when they’re new;
Buy broom busoms,
Better never grew.
If I had a horse,
I would have a cart;
If I had a wife,
She would take my part.
Buy broom busoms, &c.
Had I but a wife,
I care not who she be;
If she be a woman,
That’s enough for me.
Buy broom busoms, &c.
If she lik’d a drop,
Her and I’d agree;
If she did not like it,
There’s the more for me.
Buy broom busoms, &c.
To the foregoing Verses, Blind Willy (the native Minstrel of Newcastle) has added the following simple Rhymes:—
Up the Butcher Bank,
And down Byker Chare;
There you’ll see the lasses,
Selling brown ware.
Buy broom busoms, &c.
Along the Quayside,
Stop at Russell’s Entry;
There you’ll see the beer drawer,
She is standing sentry.
Buy broom busoms, &c.
If you want an oyster,
For to taste your mouth,
Call at Handy Walker’s,
He’s a bonny youth.
Buy broom busoms, &c.
Call at Mr Loggie’s,
He does sell good wine;
There you’ll see the beer drawer,
She is very fine.
Buy broom busoms, &c.
If you want an orange,
Ripe and full of juice;
Gan to Hannah Black,
There you’ll get your choose.
Buy broom busoms, &c.
Call at Mr Turner’s,
At the Queen’s Head;
He’ll not set you away,
Without a piece bread.
Buy broom busoms, &c.
Down the river side,
As far as Dent’s Hole;
There you’ll see the cuckolds,
Working at the coal.
Buy broom busoms, &c.