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Home  »  Wessex Poems & Other Verses  »  18. The Sergeant’s Song

Thomas Hardy (1840–1928). Wessex Poems and Other Verses. 1898.

18. The Sergeant’s Song

WHEN Lawyers strive to heal a breach,

And Parsons practise what they preach;

Then Little Boney he’ll pounce down,

And march his men on London town!

Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lorum,

Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lay!

When Justices hold equal scales,

And Rogues are only found in jails;

Then Little Boney he’ll pounce down,

And march his men on London town!

Rollicum-rorum, etc.

When Rich Men find their wealth a curse,

And fill therewith the Poor Man’s purse;

Then Little Boney he’ll pounce down,

And march his men on London town!

Rollicum-rorum, etc.

When Husbands with their Wives agree,

And Maids won’t wed from modesty;

Then Little Boney he’ll pounce down,

And march his men on London town!

Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lorum,

Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lay!

1878. Published in “The Trumpet-Major,” 1880.