The COLD WINTER NIGHT.
O NOW the cold Winter comes on,
and fortune runs hard by my ſide,
For to work at my trade, I've got none,
and the beſt of my friends I have try'd.
But he that is a friend to himſelf,
will provide for a cold winter day,
It will help him in time of his need,
when his friends they will frown him away.
When work and money comes in,
O then I'm as briſk as a bee,
And while I've got ſixpence to ſpend,
O my friends they will all viſit me.
But if I've not a ſixpence to ſpend,
and a ſixpence I've got for to borrow,
I'll be ſure to come back as I went,
'tis very well known to my ſorrow.
And if I to the ale-houſe do go,
and ſpend what I've toil'd for ſo long,
If I aſk them to truſt but one pot,
they ſtraightway will bid me begone.
And if I run on with old ſcores,
and get no more money to ſpend,
They'll be ſure to clap bums to my back,
for man without money has no friend.
My breeches are ragged and torn,
and my ſtockings bang over my ſhoes,
My pockets no money will hold,
for in truth I've got none for to loſe.
My ſhirt is as black as a coal,
for want of an induſtrious wife,
And if ye can help me good fellows,
I'll mind you all the days of my life.
I love for to tumble and toſs,
in due time when I go to bed,
Had I but an induſtrious wife,
I ſurely would ſomething provide.
And if ſhe were as willing as I,
to provide for a cold winter day,
It would help us in time of our need,
when friends would frown us away.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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