A wandering minstrel I –
A thing of shreds and patches
Of ballads, songs, and snatches
And dreamy lullaby
And dreamy lullaby
My catalogue is long,
Through every passion ranging,
And to your humours changing
I tune my supple song!
I tune my supple song!
Are you in sentimental mood?
I’ll sigh with you,
Oh, sorrow!
On market’s coldness do you brood?
I’ll do so, too
Oh, sorrow, sorrow!
I’ll charm your willing ears
With songs of buyers’ fears,
While sympathetic tears
My cheeks bedew!
Oh, sorrow, sorrow!
But if patriotic sentiment is wanted,
I’ve patriotic ballads cut and dried;
For where’er our buyer’s banner may be planted,
All other local banners are defied!
Our warriors, in serried ranks assembled,
Never quail – or they conceal it if they do
And I shouldn’t be surprised if nations trembled
Before the mighty troops, the troops of …