John Dory

1. As it fell on a holy-day, And upon a holy-tide-a, John Dory bought him an ambling nag To Paris for to ride-a.

2. And when John Dory to Paris was come, A little before the gate-a, John Dory was fitted, the porter was witted To let him in thereat-a.

3. The first man that John Dory did meet Was good king John of France-a; John Dory could well of his courtesie, But fell down in a trance-a.

4. ‘A pardon, a pardon, my liege and my king, For my merry men and for me-a, And all the churles in merry England, I’ll bring them all bound to thee-a.’

5. And Nicholl was then a Cornish man A little beside Bohide-a, And he manned forth a good black bark With fifty good oars on a side-a.

6. ‘Run up, my boy, unto the main-top, And look what thou canst spy-a.’ ‘Who ho, who ho! a goodly ship I do see; I trow it be John Dory-a.’

7. They hoist their sails, both top and top, The mizzen and all was tried-a, And every man stood to his lot, What ever should betide-a.

8. The roaring cannons then were plied, And dub-a-dub went the drum-a; The braying trumpets loud they cried To courage both all and some-a.

9. The grappling-hooks were brought at length, The brown bill and the sword-a; John Dory at length, for all his strength, Was clapped fast under board-a.