The Drunkard's Child
(Traditional)
Arranged by Chloe and Jason Roweth.
A remarkable old song whose background remains a mystery - can anyone
help?
Carrie learnt this one from her uncle Leaton and cousin Alby.
I was taking my walk, on a cold winters morn,
Through the fields and the lanes, I wandered my way,
'Till I came to a hollow, all rustic and wild,
I heard a voice crying, "I'm a poor drunkard's child."
"My clothes they're all ragged, tattered and torn,
I'm despised and dejected, forsaken and forlorn,
And on me they frown, and seem so unkind,
There's no sympathy for a poor drunkard's child."
"My mother she died, in the workhouse hard
by,
And she left me an orphan, to weep and to sigh.
Broken hearted she died, looked up to heaven and smiled,
Saying 'Jesus protect you, my poor Drunkard's child."
"But now to conclude and to finish my song,
I hope what I've depended on, you will not think me wrong;
For I'm just and orphan, but I won't turn out wild,
I'll show a good example, though a poor drunkard's child."
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