III
I used to do a gin crawl e'vry night, [9]
An' very, very often come 'ome tight, [10]
But now of all sich 'abits I've got rid,
I al'us wants to git 'ome to the kid.
In teachin' 'im I takes a regular pride,
Not books, of course, for them 'e can't abide,
But artful little ikey little ways, [11]
As makes the people sit up where we stays. [12]
(Spoken)—Only last Sunday me an' the missus took 'im out for a walk—I should say 'e took us out. As we was a comin' 'ome I says to the old gal "Let's pop into the 'Broker's Arms' and 'ave a drop o' beer?" She didn't raise no objection so in we goes, followed by 'is nibs—I'd forgotten all about 'im—I goes to the bar and calls for two pots of four 'alf; suddenly I feels 'im a tuggin' at my coat, "Wot's up?" sez I; "Wot did yer call for?" sez 'e; "Two pots of four 'alf," sez I; "Oh," sez 'e, "ain't mother goin' to 'ave none?"
Well, 'e's a little champion,
Do me proud well 'e's a knock out,
"Drink up," sez 'e, "Three pots, miss, it's my call."
I sez "Now Jacky, Jacky;"
'E sez, "And a screw of baccy,"
And 'e only stands about so 'igh, that's all.
[1: child] [2: shillings; pound] [3: information] [4: Notes] [5: Notes] [6: hands] [7: courting] [8: dressy] [9: round of ginshops] [10: drunk] [11: funny] [12: stare]
THE COSTER'S SERENADE [1894]
[By ALBERT CHEVALIER].