Iii

I used to do a gin crawl e'vry night, An' very, very often come 'ome tight, But now of all sich 'abits I've got rid, I al'us wants to git 'ome to the kid. In teachin' 'im I takes a regular pride, Not books, of course, for them 'e can't abide, But artful little ikey little ways, As makes the people sit up where we stays.

(Spoken)--Only last Sunday me an' the missus took 'im out for a walk--I should say 'e took us out. As we was a comin' 'ome I says to the old gal "Let's pop into the 'Broker's Arms' and 'ave a drop o' beer?" She didn't raise no objection so in we goes, followed by 'is nibs--I'd forgotten all about 'im--I goes to the bar and calls for two pots of four 'alf; suddenly I feels 'im a tuggin' at my coat, "Wot's up?" sez I; "Wot did yer call for?" sez 'e; "Two pots of four 'alf," sez I; "Oh," sez 'e, "ain't mother goin' to 'ave none?"

Well, 'e's a little champion, Do me proud well 'e's a knock out, "Drink up," sez 'e, "Three pots, miss, it's my call." I sez "Now Jacky, Jacky;" 'E sez, "And a screw of baccy," And 'e only stands about so 'igh, that's all.

[1: child] [2: shillings; pound] [3: information] [4: Notes] [5: Notes] [6: hands] [7: courting] [8: dressy] [9: round of ginshops] [10: drunk] [11: funny] [12: stare]

THE COSTER'S SERENADE [1894]

[By ALBERT CHEVALIER].