We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Rigs of the Time

from Trad Song Tuesdays Volume 0 by Piers Cawley

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £0.80 GBP  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

It was Real Bread Week, so Trad Song Tuesday was after songs about bread. Could I find a positive song about bread and bakers? Nope.

I would just like to point out that the butchers, bakers, farmers and landlords of my acquaintance are all scrupulously honest. I don't know and cobblers or tailors though, but I'm sure that they are similarly upstanding citizens, who are matchless in their moral probity.

lyrics

No wonder that butter's a shilling a pound
See them rich farmers' daughters as they ride up and down
And when you ask for the reason, they say
"Oh, alas! There's been a French war
"So the cows have no grass!"

And honesty's all out fashion
These are the rigs of the time, time my boys
These are the rigs of the time

And then here's to our landlord, I must bring him in
Charges tuppence a pint, yet he think it no sin
And when he do bring it in the measure is short
And the top of the pint is all covered in froth

Chorus

And then here's to the butcher, I must bring him in
Charges fourpence a pound, yet he think it no sin
To slap his thumb on the scale and make it go down
He swears it's full weight when it lacks half a pound

Chorus

And here's to the baker, I must bring him in
Charges ha'penny a loaf, yet he think it no sin
And when he do bring it in it's no bigger than your fist
And the top of the loaf is popped off with the yeast

Chorus

And here's to the tailor that skimps on our clothes
And here's to the cobbler that pinches our toes
And our bellies go empty, our backsides go bare
No wonder we've reason to curse and to swear

Chorus

Now the very best thing that I can find
Is to toss 'em all up in a high gale of wind
And the wind it would blow, the balloon it would burst
And the biggest old rascal come tumbling down first

Chorus

Yes, honesty's all out of fashion

credits

from Trad Song Tuesdays Volume 0, released February 26, 2020
Trad. Arr. Cawley

license

tags

about

Piers Cawley image

Piers Cawley Doncaster, UK

A singer for as long as he can remember, Piers (he/they) sings Old Songs with a clarity and conviction that makes them as fresh as paint.

contact / help

Contact Piers Cawley

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Piers Cawley recommends:

If you like Piers Cawley, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Beans joins the show to discuss his album release, "ZWAARD".

listen now