The mugger's song

Ivor (Bertie) Gurney

Driving up the Mallerstang

The mugger cracked his whip and sang

And all his crocks went rattle, rattle -

"The road runs fair and smooth and even

From Appleby to Kirkby Stephen

And womenfolk are kittle cattle.

And Kirkby Stephen's fair to see

And inns are good in Appleby,"

And all his crocks went rattle, rattle.

"But what care I for Kirkby Stephen,

Or whether roads are rough or even,

And womenfolk are kittle cattle?

And what care I for Appleby,

Since Bess of the Blue Bell jilted me?"

And all his crocks went rattle, rattle -

"And wed today in Kirkby Stephen,

A sweep whose legs are odd and even?

And womenfolk are kittle cattle."