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From the album Sweet Liberty

Played in 3/4 time

It’s of two young sailor lads out a-walking
Their pockets being both lined with gold
As they went a-walking and civilly talking
Some fair pretty damsel they do behold.

O lady, lady can I carry your basket?
O there’s eggs in the basket oh do take care,
And if you should chance to outwalk me,
At the halfway house you’ll find me later there.

So these two young men they start out walking
Until they come to the halfway house
O landlord, landlord have you any bacon?
For in my basket I’ve got eggs to fry.

So that landlord he went to the basket
A-thinking he’d got eggs to fry
O say young man ain’t you mistaken?
O for in this basket we’ve got a child.

Up steps this Nancy o dearest Nancy
That had taken to bed last Whitsuntide
We got this young child since I came your fancy
So now gay fiddler you’ve got to pay.

That child’s not ours, lovely Nancy
He’s no babe o’ mine nor no friend’s beside
But I will take it I’ll kindly treat it
If you will say all my money’s paid.

Oh that young man went up to the basket
He’s kicked it around and around the floor
Oh since it is done I will surely pay it
But damn me if I do eat eggs anymore.

(slowly )

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