Cracks Songtext
von Stick in the Wheel

You Master Colliers pray draw near
And listen to my Report
My Grief is great, for though of late
Two Ladies I chanc′d to Court
Who did meet me on Tower Hill
Their Beauties I did behold
Those Crafty Jades have learnt their Trades
And plunder'd me of my Gold

I′ll tell you how it came to pass
This sorrowful Story is thus
Of Guineas bright a glorious Sight
I held in a Cat-skin Purse
The value of near Fourscore Pounds
As good as e'er I had told
Those Crafty Jades have learnt their Trades
And plunder'd me of my Gold


I saw two poor distressed Men
Who lay upon Tower-Hill
To whom in brief I gave Relief
According to my good Will
Two wanton Misses drawing near
My Guineas they did behold
They laid a Plot by which they Got
My Silver and yellow Gold

Then to East-Smithfield was I led
And there I was entertain′d
With Kisses fine and Brandy Wine
In Merriment we remain′d
Methought it was the happiest Day
That ever I did behold
Sweet Meat alass! had sower Sauce
They plunder'd me of my Gold

As I was at the wanton Game
My Pocket they fairly pick′d
And all my Wealth they took by stealth
Thus was a poor Collier trick'd
Let me therefore a Warning be
To Merchants both young and old
For now of late hard was my Fate
I′m plunder'd of all my Gold


They got three Pounds in Silver bright
And Guineas above Threescore
Such sharping Cracks breaks Merchants Backs
I′ll never come near them no more
Sure now I have enough of them
My Sorrow cannot be told
That crafty Crew makes me look Blew
I'm plunder'd of all my Gold