The Jolly Beggars: A Cantata fragment
Air tune-“Jolly Mortals, fill your Glasses.”
See the smoking bowl before us, Mark our jovial ragged ring! Round and round take up the chorus, And in raptures let us sing-
Chorus A fig for those by law protected! Liberty’s a glorious feast! Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the priest.
What is title, what is treasure, What is reputation’s care? If we lead a life of pleasure, ‘Tis no matter how or where! A fig for, &c.
With the ready trick and fable, Round we wander all the day; And at night in barn or stable, Hug our doxies on the hay. A fig for, &c.
Does the train-attended carriage Thro’ the country lighter rove? Does the sober bed of marriage Witness brighter scenes of love? A fig for, &c.
Life is all a variorum, We regard not how it goes; Let them cant about decorum, Who have character to lose. A fig for, &c.
Here’s to budgets, bags and wallets! Here’s to all the wandering train. Here’s our ragged brats and callets, One and all cry out, Amen!
Chorus A fig for those by law protected! Liberty’s a glorious feast! Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the priest.
Not published by Burns; dating from 1785. |