Wal, I Swan (Git Up, Napoleon)



I run the old mill over here in ReubensviUe,

My name's Joshua Ebenezer Frye;

I know a thing or two, just bet your boots I do,

Can't fool me 'cause I'm too darn spry.

I've met your bunco men, always got the best of them;

Once I met a couple on a Boston train.

They says, "How be you ?" I says, "That'll do-

Travel right along with your darned skinned game!"



cho: Wal, I swan, I must be getting on,

Git up, Napoleon, it looks likc rain ;

Wal, l'II be switched, the hay ain't pitched;

Come in when you're over to the farm again.



I drove the old mare over to the country fair,

Took first prize on a load of Summer squash.

Stopped at the cider mill coming over by the hill,

Come home tighter than a drum, by gosh!

I was so darned full I gave away the old bull,

Dropped both reins clean out on the fill;

Got home so darned late couldn't find the barn gate,

Ma says, "Joshua, 'tain't poss-i-bil!"



We had a big show here about a week ago,

Pitched up a tent by the old mill dam;

Ma says, "Let's go in to see the side show-

Just take a look at the tattooed man,"

I see a cuss look sharp at my pockethook,

Says, "Gimme two tens for a five?"

I says, "You darn fool, I be the constable-

Now you're arrested sure as you're alive."



I drove the old bay into town yesterday,

Hitched her up to the railroad fence;

Tied_her good and strong, but a train came along-

I ain't seen the horse or the wagon sense.

Had to foot it home, so I started off alone,

When a man says, "Hurry, your barn's on fire!"

Wal, I had the key in my pocket, you see,

So I knew the cuss was a fool or a liar.



My son Joshua went to Philadelphia,

He wouldn't do a day's work if he could;

He didn't give a darn about staying on the farm,

What he's coming to ain't no good.

Smokes cigarettes, too, way the city folks do,

Keeps a-writin' home he's doing right well;

Seems kind of funny, but he's always out of money-

Ma says the boy's up to some kind of hell.



From Pious Friends, Shay

@farm

filename[ WALISWAN

RG

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