Classic Poem

1

As you've walked through the town on a fine summer's day,
The subject I've got, you have seen, I dare say;
Upon fences and railings, where ever you go,
You'll see the penny ballads sticking up, in a row;
The titles to read you may stand for a while,
And some are so odd, they will cause you to smile;
I noted them down as I read them along,
And I've put them together to make up my song.

Old songs! New songs! Ev'ry kind of song,
I noted them down as I read them along.

2

There was " Abraham's Daughter " " Going out upon a spree, "
With " Old Uncle Snow " " In the Cottage by the sea; "
" If your foot is pretty, show it " " At Lanigan's Ball; "
And " Why did she leave him " " On the raging Canawl? "
There was " Bonnie Annie " with " A jockey hat and feather; "
" I don't think much of you " " We were boys and girls together. "
" Do they think of me at home? " " I'll be free and easy still; "
" Give us now a good Commander " with " The Sword of Bunker Hill. "

3

" When this Cruel War is over, " " No Irish need apply, "
" For, every thing is lovely, and the Goose hangs high; "
" The Young Gal from New Jersey, " " Oh, wilt thou be my bride? "
And " Oft in the Stilly Night " " We'll all take a ride. "
" Let me kiss him for his Mother, " " He's a Gay Young Gambolier; "
" I'm going to fight mit Sigel " and " De bully Lager-bier. "
" Hunkey Boy is Yankee Doodle " " When the Cannons loudly roar, "
" We are coming, Father Abraham, six hundred thousand more! "

4

" In the days when I was hard up " with " My Mary Ann, "
" My Johnny was a Shoemaker, " or " Any other Man! "
" The Captain with his whiskers " and " Annie of the Vale, "
Along with " Old Bob Ridley " " A riding on a rail! "
" Rock me to sleep, Mother, " " Going round the Horn; "
" I'm not myself at all, " " I'm a Bachelor forlorn. "
" Mother, is the Battle over? " " What are the men about? "
" How are you, Horace Greeley, " " Does your Mother know you're out? "

5

" We won't go home till morning, " with " The Bold Privateer, "
" Annie Lisle " and " Zouave Johnny " " Riding in a Railroad Kerr; "
" We are coming, Sister Mary, " with " The Folks that put on airs. "
" We are marching along " with " The Four-and-Thirty Stars; "
" On the other side of Jordan " " Don't fly your Kite too high! "
" Jenny's coming o'er the Green, " to " Root Hog or die! "
" Our Union's Starry Banner, " " The Flag of Washington. "
Shall float victorious o'er the land from Maine to Oregon!