GAOL SONG

Trad. arr. John Jones / Ian Kearey / Alan Prosser / Ian Telfer
Complete Music Ltd 1986

First released on: Step Outside, 1986

step in young man, I know your face 
it's nothing in your favour 
a little time I'll give to you 
six months unto hard labour 

to me hip fol the day hip fol the day 
to me hip fol the day lot the digee-o 

at six o'clock our gaoler comes in 
with a bunch of keys all in his hand 
come my lads, step up and grind 
tread that wheel till breakfast time 

at eight o'clock our skilly comes in 
it's sometimes thick and it's sometimes thin 
devil of a word we must not say 
or it's bread and water all next day 

at half past eight the bell does ring 
into the chapel we must swing 
down on bended knees to fall 
o lord have mercy on us all 

at nine o'clock the jangle rings 
all on the trap, boys, we must spring 
come my lads, step up in time 
the wheel to tread and the corn to grind 

Saturday's come I'm sorry to say
Sunday's our starvation day 
our hobnail boots, tin mugs too 
they are not shined, they will not do 

when six long months are over and past
I will return to my bonny lass 
I'll leave the gaolers all behind 
the wheel to tread and the corn to grind

o me hip fol the day hip fol the day to me hip fol the day lot the digee-o