THE DANDY AFGHAN KHAN.
(Cabulee Version of a popular Comic Song.)
Air—"The Dandy Coloured Coon."
Ameer, dressing for a projected Visit, sings:—
Fools called me a mere "Nigger" when I felt Dame Fortune's frown;
Up and down—I have known;
But now the folks all say, "Why, you're fit to wear a crown.
Black or brown—you've won renown."
Now a lot of gossips they patter and spy.
Someone says, "He wants to have the Muscovite hard by."
"Muscovite!" said I,—"hard by!—you're mistooken!
This Ameer wants to see no Muscovite.
Not at all!—not a bit!—
'Tain't for him at all the Afghan crown is meant!"
"Go on!"—say they,—"Who is it?"
Chorus.
"Why, it's Ab-dur-rahman, son of Afzul, son of Dost
Mohammed, means to rule the fierce Afghan!
Don't you know me?—Go on!—Well, you will, my good man,
For I'm Ab-dur-rahman the dandy Afghan Khan!"
Now a man like me is a terror to the tribes,
The Shinwaris,—the Ghilzais!
And Ishak Khan and others found me galling to their kibes,
When revolts—they would raise.
They've been putting it about the Ameer is ill.
(Wouldn't they delight to administer a pill!)
"Ameer, you're ill—mortal ill!"—but I wasn't!
"You've palpitation," the quidnuncs state,
"From your soles—to your scalp.
Ishak at Samarcand makes your heart palpitate!"
"Go on!"—said I,—"nary palp!"
Chorus.—For I'm Ab-dur-rahman, &c.
Now I've long had an ambition to far England for to go,
Don't you know,—that is so!
See Empress-Queen Victoria and Mister Wales also.
I'm asked to go—to that show!
The Empress-Queen to visit me doesn't care.
(And doubtless Afghan fashions might make Victoria stare.)
But there—I swear—I'll go!—and I'm going!
Men may say "It's the Shah that this show's about!"—
And another "You're an ass, Sir!
'Taint the Shah-in-Shah at all—you're a long way out!"—
"Go on!"—he'll say,—"ain't it Nass'r?"
Chorus.—No, it's Ab-dur-rahman, &c.
So I'll dress the part as near as can be,
Please John B.—don't you see!
My close-fitting lambswool and silver filagree,
Empress V.—might find "free."
Should the tribesmen twig this peculiar rig
They'd think their Ameer had turned Infidel Pig.
What a toff!—Well, I'll say—I'm here—to see the Empress!—
What is that "coon" all the comics sing about?
Mister Brown—John James!
If as to me Mister Bull has a doubt,
Go on!—I'll say.—My names?
Chorus.
Why, they're Ab-dur-rahman, son of Afzul, son of Dost
Mahommed, wearer of the Afghan Crown.
Don't you know me?—Go on?—Well, you will very soon,
For I'm Ab-dur-rahman Khan, the dandy Afghan coon!
