GOLDEN DUSTMAN, THE
(E Graham / George Le Brunn 1897)

as recorded by Gus Elen
1899


Me and old Bill Smiff's bin dust-'oys,
Allus worked the same old rahnd.
Strange to say we've struck a gold mine,
And we've shared the wealf we fahnd.
'Ow it 'appened, there's a miser
'Ad never let us shift 'is dust;
Well a Tuesday night 'e died, and Wednesday,
Like two burglars in we bust!
Gets to work and, bless yer eye sight,
Oh such wealf yer never saw!
'Apennys, farthin's, lor', in fousands,
Well to fink that last week I was poor!

But nah I'm goin' to be a regular toff,
A-ridin' in me carriage and a pair.
A top 'at on me 'ead, and fevvers in me bed,
And call meself the Duke o' Barnet Fair!
Asterymikhan rahnd the bottom o' my coat,
A Piccadilly winder in me eye.
Oh, fancy all the dustmen a-shoutin' in me ear,
"Leave us in yer will before yer die!"

Stuck inside a rusty saucepan
What looked like a worn out mat.
Close inspection, 'twas a stockin',
Full o' nuggets - big as that!
Down we flops upon our kneeses,
See my scoopin' up the wealf,
When up I jumps, oh so happy,
I 'ardly could believe meself!
The guvnor just nah sez, "Come 'Iggins,
'Ere, get to work, yer looks 'arf tight!"
"Get to what?  'Ere, who yer kiddin'?
Yer can dine wiv me next Sunday night!"

But nah I'm going to be a regular toff,
A-ridin' in me carriage and a pair.
A top 'at on me 'ead, and fevvers in me bed,
And call meself the Duke o' Barnet Fair!
Astradekymikhan rahnd the bottom o' my coat,
A Piccadilly winder in my eye.
Ah, fancy all the dustmen a-shoutin' in me ear,
"Leave us in yer will before yer die!"

In the summer I'll go yachtin',
With the Dooks and Emperors!
In the autumn, spot yer 'umble
Shooting grouses on the moors!
What price me a-drivin' tandem,
Wiv a Cahntess by me side?
If she likes to pop the question,
Well, I'll consent to be 'er bride!
As for low insinuations
As regards me style and sich,
Well, I'll soon teach 'em etiquetty
If I slaps this 'cross their snitch!

But nah I'm going to be a regular toff,
A-ridin' in me carriage and a pair.
A top 'at on me 'ead, and fevvers in me bed,
And call meself the Duke o' Barnet Fair!
Aristacatamygotamy rahnd the bottom o' my coat,
A Piccadilly winder in me eye.
Oh, fancy all the dustmen a-shoutin' in me ear,
"Leave 'er in yer will before yer die!"




(Transcribed by Peter Akers - February 2017)