I cannot get to my love, if I should dee,
The water of Tyne runs between him and me;
And here I must stand, with the tear in my e'e,
Both sighing and sickly my sweetheart to see.
O where is the boatman? my bonny honey!
O where is the boatman? bring him to me—
To ferry me over the Tyne to my honey,
And I will remember the boatman and thee.
O bring me a boatman—I'll give any money,
(And you for your trouble rewarded shall be)
To ferry me over the Tyne to my honey,
Or skull him across that rough river to me.
THE NEWCASTLE SIGNS.
Written by Cecil Pitt, and sung at the Theatre-Royal, Newcastle, by Mr. Scriven, June 4, 1806.
Should the French in Newcastle but dare to appear,
At each sign they would meet with indifferent cheer;
From the Goat and the Hawk, from the Bell and the Waggon,
And the Dog, they would skip, as St. George made the Dragon.
The Billet, the Highlander, Cross Keys, and Sun,
The Eagle and Ships too, would shew 'em some fun;
The Three Kings and Unicorn, Bull's Head and Horse,
Would prove, that the farther they went they'd fare worse.
At the Black House, a strong-Arm, would lay ev'ry man on,
And they'd quickly go off, if they got in the Cannon:
The Nelson and Turk's Head their fears would increase,
And they'd run from the Swan like a parcel of geese.
At the York and the Cumberland, Cornwallis too,
With our Fighting Cocks, sure they'd have plenty to do;
The Nag's Head and Lions would cut such an evil,
And the Angel would drive the whole crew to the devil.