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Arthur McBride

from Unabridged by SixMileBridge

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about

An amalgam arrangement by Maggie, with features of a half dozen renditions over three centuries.
One of the most commonly shared and widespread songs of irreverance for the British army, there are more versions than one can count. The story centers on the common practice of entrapment, where a British soldier pursuades a civilian to accept money from them, which immediately places them in service to the King.

lyrics

Arthur McBride
traditional

I had a first cousin called Arthur McBride and we went awalkin' down by the seaside
Seekin' good fortune and what might betide, for it bein' on Christmas mornin'
And for recreation we went on a tramp, where we met Sargeant Harper and Corporal Cramp
And a little wee drummer intendin' to camp, for the day bein' pleasant and charmin'

"Good mornin', good mornin'," the sargeant did cry, "And the same to you gentlemen," we did reply,
Intendin' no harm, but meant to pass by, for it bein' on Christmas mornin'.
Says he, "My fine fellows, if you will enlist, it's ten guineas I quickly shall shove in your fist,
And a crown in the bargain for to kick off the dust, and drink the King's health in the mornin'
For a soldier he leads a very fine life, and he always is blessed with a pretty young wife,
And he pays all his debts without trouble or strife, and always is pleasant and charmin',
And a soldier he always is decent and clean, in the finest of clothes he is constantly seen,
While other poor fellows are dirty and mean and sup on thin gruel in the mornin'."

But says Arthur, "I wouldn't be proud of your clothes, for you've only the lend of them as I suppose,
And you dare not remove them one night for you know if you do you'll be flogged in the mornin',
And although that we are single and free we take great delight in our own company,
And we have no desire strange faces to see, although your offers are charmin',
And we have no desire to take your advance, all hazards and dangers we'll barter on chance,
For you have no scruples and you'll send us to France, where we'd surely be shot without warnin'."

"Oh now," says the sargeant, "if I hear one more word I instantly then will draw out my sword,
And run through your bodies as strength can afford, so now you gay devils take warnin'!"
But Arthur and I we took in the odds and we gave them no chance for to lunge out their swords,
Our trusty shillelidhs came over their heads, and bad them take that as fair warnin'.
As for the wee drummer, we rifled his pouch, and we made a football of his rowdy-dow-dow,
Threw it in the tide for to rock and to roll, and bade it a tedious returnin'
And as for the rapiers that hung at their sides we flung them as far as we could in the tide,
"To the devil I bid ye!" cried Arthur McBride, "and temper their steel in the mornin'!"

credits

from Unabridged, released April 18, 1998

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all rights reserved

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about

Maggie Drennon image

Maggie Drennon New York, New York

Maggie Drennon is a premiere voice in Celtic singing, a long standing influence in folk music. She was a founding member of Ceili's Muse in 1989, and SixMileBridge in 1997

Now, with a solo performance that is meaningful yet lighthearted, she is deeply devoted to sharing Celtic traditions with American audiences.

Most importantly she brings us the soaring voice that will inspire your heart! ... more

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