Four Partsongs

Song Cycle by Rutland Boughton (1878 - 1960)

?. Quick march  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
When Lawyers strive to heal a breach
And Parsons practise what they preach:
[Then little Boney he'll pounce down]1,
And march his men on London town!
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lorum,
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lay!

When Justices hold equal [scales]2,
And Rogues are only found in [jails]3;
[Then little Boney he'll pounce down]1,
And march his men on London town!
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lorum,
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lay!

When Rich Men find their wealth a curse,
And fill therewith the [Poor Man's]4 purse;
[Then little Boney he'll pounce down]1,
And march his men on London town!
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lorum,
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lay!

When Husbands with their Wives agree,
And Maids won't wed from modesty;
[Then little Boney he'll pounce down]1,
And march his men on London town!
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lorum,
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lay!

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Note: portions of the poem were first published as part of The Trumpet-Major in Good Words (Jan. - Dec. 1880)

1 Finzi: "Then Boney he'll come pouncing down"
2 Holst: "scale"
3 Holst: "jail"
4 Holst: "Poor men's"

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 132