George Ridler's Oven - 1796 Version

Corrected according to the Fragments of a Manuscript Copy found in the SPEECH HOUSE in the Forest of Dean several centuries ago, and now revived, to be sung at the Anniversary and Monthly Meetings of the GLOCESTERSHIRE SOCIETY; (A Charitable Institution ), held in the Crown and Anchor Tavern, in the Strand, London.

I

The Stwons that built George Ridler’s Oven

And thauy keum from the Bleakeney’s Quaar;

And George he wur a Jolly old Mon,

And his Yead it graw’d above his Yare.

II

One thing of George Ridler I must commend,

And that wur vor a notable Theng;

He meaud his Braags avoore he died,

Wi’ and dree Brothers his Zons, zhou’d zeng.

III

There’s Dick the Treble and John the Mean,

(Let every Mon zing in his auwn Pleace;)

And George he wur the Elder Brother,

And therevoore he shound zing the Beass.

IV

Mine Hostess’s Moid (and her Neaum ‘twur Nell),

A pretty Wench, and I lov’d her well;

I lov’d her well. Good Reauzon why,

Becase zshe lov’d my Dog and I.

V

My Dog is good to catch a Hen,

A Duck or Goose is vood for Men;

And where good Company I spy,

O thether gwoes my Dog and I.

VI

My Mwother told I when I wur young,

If I did vollow the Strong-Beer Pwoot,

That Drenk would pruv my auverdrow,

And meauk me wear a thzread-bare Cwoat.

VII

My Dog has gotten zitch a Trick,

To visit Moids when thauy be zick;

When thauy be zick and like to die,

O thether gwoes my Dog and I.

VIII

When I have dree zixpences under my Thumb,

O then I be welcome wherever I come;

But when I have none, O then I pass by,

‘Tis Poverty pearts good Company.

IX

If I should die, as it may hap,

My greave shall be under the good yeal tap;

In voulded earms there wool us lie

Cheek by jowl my dog and I.