A Rare Curiosity: Or, Crow’s Nest in Gateshead. — A New Song
As Neddy and Betty were walking along,
Each cheerfully joining in dialogue song;
I met them, delighted on Gateshead green hill,
While Betty’s sweet voice charm’d all lads round each mill.
Derry down, &c.
BETTY.
Indeed, honest Neddy! the news is quite true,
Th’ Sandhill, no longer crow nests we can view;
The downfalling Steeple, and coming down Change,
Oblig’d feather’d builders at distance to range.
Derry down, &c.
NEDDY.
Does not my fair Betty know perfectly well,
No birds in prognostics black crows can excell?
No sooner their nests on the Sandhill were shewn,
Than public improvements came rapidly on.
Derry down, &c.
BETTY.
O yes I remember, from Close when they flew,
What crowds of spectators their nests came to view;
When pitched so nicely on top of the vane,
As signals, where Justice and Commerce did reign.
Derry down, &c.
NEDDY.
It is very true, my dear charmer, indeed,
Spectators beheld vast improvements succeed;
A beautiful Square, named Charlotte the Queen,
New streets, and Assembly Rooms elegant seen.
Derry down, &c.
BETTY.
O yes, and a Theatre, royal and fine,
Erected, no doubt, for some noble design;
To shew thoughtless mortals of ev’ry degree,
How defaulting they are, how good they should be.
Derry down, &c.
NEDDY.
From thence, if reflection keeps soberly on,
We’ve the Free Mason Lodge, in the style of St John;16
Where true wit and humour with charity meet,
And souls are united in union complete.
Derry down, &c.
BETTY.
I’m calling to mind, what a gipsy once told,
Who came in the crowd the crow’s nest to behold;
“These crows are wise creatures—Trade here will improve,
As sure as the winds can that weather-cock move!”
Derry down, &c.
NEDDY.
Then Gateshead is lucky, I vow and declare,
Behold, my dear Betty! where now the crows are;
Near Battle Bank foot, their snug nests you may find,
Upon those new chimnies, set free to the wind.
Derry down, &c.
BETTY.
O wonderful! Neddy, I see them so plain,
Quite opposite now to their former gilt vane;
The Stamp Office chosen, they mean to proceed,
The good folk of Gateshead are lucky indeed.
Derry down, &c.
NEDDY.
Then let me, dear Betty, meet better luck still,
Come, give me thy heart and thy hand with good will;
You know I am honest, my vows are sincere,
From all the deceits of vile rascals quite clear.
Derry down, &c.
BETTY.
So many false villains but court to deceive,
We virgins in prudence should slowly believe;
If they can but the punishing laws once escape,
They fear not the devil, his torments, or shape.
Derry down, &c.
NEDDY.
May all worthy millers grind such rascals down,
Till neither their dust nor their ashes are known;
Here’s my hand, dearest Bett! for life let us join,
Consent—and to morrow my all shall be thine.
Derry down, &c.
BETTY.
Dear Ned! I believe, and to-morrow shall see,
How blessing and blest honest lovers can be;
The crow’s nest in Gateshead full witness may prove,
That none but vile fools are deceitful in love.
Derry down, down, hey derry down.
Notes
16 St John’s Lodge, No. 184, Free Masons’ Hall, Low Friar Street, Newcastle, dedicated October 18th, 1777, was some years after disused and converted into the Dispensary.