I'M GOING TO SETTLE DOWN


as recorded by Gus Elen
1911


I've just come back from Canada, the place they grow the corn,
When I went out I hadn't got a cent.
I-I've come back with the same amount, I never should have gorn,
Excepting for the reason that I went!
One night we sat around a fire and sung an 'omely song,
It upset me so I said, "Boys, look 'ere!".
Well, I called 'em boys though some of 'em had whiskers two feet long,
I said, "I'm homesick boys, I'm going to clear!".

Yes I'm going to settle down in England,
I'm going to settle down in life.
All I've saved as a settler out here 
I'm going to settle on the wife!
Then one of the boys said, "'Alf a moment!
While you got the settling thirst,
Before you settles down in England, 
You can settle up in Canada first!".

That song of 'ome it touched me, though I've oft been touched before,
I pictured 'ome and mother's face quite plain.
And when I pictured all the pubs I knew in days o' yore,
That did it, I began to cry like rain!
The boys said, "You shan't go!", but I ran in me 'ut to 'ide,
I locked the door, I felt in such a stew.
They brandished their revolvers, shouting "Come out';  I replied,
I wouldn't leave my little wooden 'ut for you!".

I'm going to settle down in England,
I'm going to settle down in life.
All I've saved as a settler out here 
I'm going to settle on the wife!
Then one of the boys said, "'Alf a moment!
While you got the settling thirst,
Before you settles down in England,
You can settle up in Canada first!".

I'm going to settle down in England,
I'm going to settle down in life.
All I've saved as a settler out here 
I'm going to settle on the wife!
Then one of the boys said, 'Alf a mo-mo!
While you got the settling thirst,
Before you settles down in England,
You can settle up in Canada first!".




(Transcribed by Peter Akers - December 2016)