by Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928)

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

When Justices hold equal scale,
And Rogues are only found in jail;
Then little Boney he'll pounce down,
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 men's purse;
Then little Boney he'll pounce down,
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,
And march his men on London town!
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lorum,
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lay!

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

Composition:

    Set to music by Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934), "Sergeant's song", op. 15 (Six Songs) no. 3 (1903), published 1903 [ baritone and piano ]

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 120