/ · John S. Farmer’s Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes

The Bridle-Cull and his little Pop-Gun

The Bridle-Cull and his little Pop-Gun
1842

I

My brave brother troopers, slap-up in the abode,
Come listen unto me while I chant about “the Road”;
Oh prick up your list’ners if you are fond of fun 1 ears
A bridle-cull’s the hero, and his little pop-gun. 2 highwayman
  Fal, de, rol! lal! lal! la!

II

One morning early he went, this rollicking blade, 3 fellow
To pick the blunt up, and he met a nice young maid; 4 money
“I’ll not rob you,” said he, “and so you needn’t bunk: 5 run away
But she lammas’d off in style, of his pop-gun afunk 6 went off; afraid
  Fal, de, rol! lal! lal! la!”

III

Then up came a stage-coach, and thus the gloque did say, 7 highwayman
I’m sorry for to stop you, but you must hear my lay;
“Come, stand and deliver! if not, sure as the sun,
Your journey I will stop with my little pop-gun.”
  Fal, de, rol! lol! lol!

IV

“Tis by these little lays a High-padsman he thrives, 8 highwayman
”Oh take all our rhino, but pray spare our lives!“ 9 money
Cry the passengers who anxious all are for to run,
Frightened nigh to death by his little pop-gun.”
  Fol, de, rol.

Then, my blades, when you’re bush’d, and must have the swag, 10 companions; out of luck; plunder
Walk into tattlers, shiners, and never fear the lag; 11 watches; money; transportation
Then patter to all spicey, and tip ’em lots of fun, 12 talk; civilly; give
And blunt you’ll never want while you’ve got a pop-gun. 13 money
  Fol, de, rol! la!

Taken from Musa Pedestris, Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536―1896], collected and annotated by John S. Farmer.

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Nearby

• 1811 Dictionary of UK Slang, originally by Captain Francis Grose
• 1736 Dictionary of Thieving Slang by Nathan Bailey