My Friend and Pitcher/The Little Lad
THO' I AM NOW A VERY LITTLE LAD.
Though I am now a very little lad,If fighting men cannot be had, For want of a better I, may do,To follow the boys with a rat-tat-too.I may seem tender, yet I'm tough,And tho' not much of me, I'm right good stuff;Of this I'll boast, say more who can,I never was afraid to face my man.I'm a chicka-biddy—seeTake me now, now, now,A merry little heFor your row, dow, dow.Brown Bess I'll knock about, oh, there's my joy!With my knapsack at my back like a roving boy.
In my tartan plaid a young soldier view,My philabeg, and dirk, and bonnet blue,Give the word and I'll march where you command,Noble serjeant with a shilling then strike my hand.My captain when he takes his glass,May like to toy with a pretty lass,For such a one I've a roguish eye,He'll never want a girl when I am by.I'm a chicka-biddy, &c.
Though a barber has never yet mowed my chin,With my great broad sword I long to begin;Cur, slash, ram, dam, oh, glorious fun,For a gun pip pop change my little pop gunThe foes should fly like geese in flocks,Even Turks I'd drive like Turkey-cocks; Wherever I quarter'd I shall be,Oh, zounds, how I'll kiss my landlady.I'm a chicka-biddy, &c.