Peter Street



You 'prentice lads and seamen bold come listen to me song,

And I'll tell you how I met me fate when I was very young.

'Twas on the day I came from sea, a flash girl I did meet,

She kindly asked me to a dance -- 'twas up on Peter street.

Some girls passed by along the way, these words to me did say,

"'Well, well, old chap, you'll lose your cap if you should steer that way."



And when we reached the bar room, boys, the liquor was brought in,

And every man waltzed 'round the room as the dancing did begin.

When the dancing, it was over, we straight to bed did go,

And little did I ever think she'd prove me overthrow.

When I came to me senses, oh, nothing could I spy

But a ladies skirt and apron there upon the bed did lie.

When I came to me senses, oh, nothing could I spy

But a ladies skirt and apron there upon the bed did lie.

Me coat and boots and trousers were no more to be seen

And but an empty table where my gold watch had been.

Me watch and coat and eighty pounds with me fancy one had fled,

And there was I, Jack all alone, stark naked in the bed.



Now everything was silent, the hour was twelve o'clock,

So I put the skirt and apron on and hauled out for the dock.

Me shipmates saw me come on board and these words to me did say,

''Well, well, old chap, you've lost your cap since last you went away,

Is this the new spring fashion, the ladies wear on shore?

Where is the shop that sells it, have they got any more?"

The old man said, "Well, Jack, me boy, I'm sure you could have found

A better suit than that by far to buy for eighty pounds."

"Sure, I could buy a better suit if I'd only had the chance,

But I met a girl on Peter street and she took me to a dance.

I danced to my destruction; got stripped from head to feet,

So I swore an oath I'd go no more to a dance on Peter street!"



Recorded by Roberts and Barrand.

Note: Bob Reed supplied essentially same version, but with chorus

from New York Gals

@sailor @whore @crime

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