John Hamilton wagered a wager for four hundred guineas and ten
That he would go down London City and never speak aught but sing
So he sang tay aye addity, tay aye addity tan
So he sang eetie fie addity, tay aye addity tan

Policemen came running and shouting a mad man's coming along
Soon we shall see who he is and we'll soon put an end to his song
Still he sang tay aye addity, tay aye addity tan
Still he sang eetie fie addity, tay aye addity tan

They took him before the justice to see if who he would be
Still he sang eetie fie addity on with his singing went he
They brought him a pen and a paper to see if he would write
Still he sang eetie fie addity on with his singing all night
Still he sang tay aye addity, tay aye addity tan
Still he sang eetie fie addity, tay aye addity tan

Then in came the justice's daughter a beautiful woman was she
Saw John Hamilton singing and on him she cast her eye
Oh daddy go open the chamber and let the young gentleman in
See that you use him genteelly and give him a bottle of wine
But still he sang tay aye addity, tay aye addity tan
Still he sang eetie fie addity, tay aye addity tan

John Hamilton put his hand in his pocket, he made all the shillings to fly
Give a gold ring to the lady and on with his singing went he
Still he sang tay aye addity, tay aye addity tan
Still he sang eetie fie addity, tay aye addity tan

John Hamilton won him a wager for four hundred guineas and ten
Come home with the justice's daughter and that put and end to his song
She loved him for crackling his fingers, she loved him for singing his song
Loved him fie eetie fie addity, tay aye addity tan
And he sang tay aye addity, tay aye addity tan
And he sang eetie fie addity, tay aye addity tan