You combers all both great and small
Come listen to my ditty
For it is ye and only ye
Regard my form with pity
For I can write ring-dance and fight
Indeed it's all my honour
My failing is oh I love strong beer
For I'm a rambling comber
Now it's on the tramp I'm forced to stamp
My shoes are all atatter
My hose unbound they trail the ground
And I seldom wears a garter
I have a coat scarce worth one groat
And I sadly want for another
But it's oh my dear how I love strong beer
Oh I'm a rambling comber
Now I have no watch and I have a patch
On both sides of my breeches
My hat is torn and my wig's all worn
And my health is all my riches
Would that I had some gigly lass
With coat all for to board her
With straps and hose oh I would hold those
I would hold them all ... (?)
Now a tailor's bill I seldom fill
And I never do take measure
I make no debt which doth me let
In the taking of my pleasure
Nor ever will till I grow old
When I must give it over
For then old age will me engage
For being a rambling comber
So pitcher boy I'll now employ
While I have cash or credit
I'll rant and roar and I'll call for the store
And I'll pay them when I have it
For this is always on my mind
Let me be drunk or sober
A bowl of punch my thirst to quench
And ... (?) October
For it's oh my dear how I love strong beer
Oh I'm a rambling comber
Come listen to my ditty
For it is ye and only ye
Regard my form with pity
For I can write ring-dance and fight
Indeed it's all my honour
My failing is oh I love strong beer
For I'm a rambling comber
Now it's on the tramp I'm forced to stamp
My shoes are all atatter
My hose unbound they trail the ground
And I seldom wears a garter
I have a coat scarce worth one groat
And I sadly want for another
But it's oh my dear how I love strong beer
Oh I'm a rambling comber
Now I have no watch and I have a patch
On both sides of my breeches
My hat is torn and my wig's all worn
And my health is all my riches
Would that I had some gigly lass
With coat all for to board her
With straps and hose oh I would hold those
I would hold them all ... (?)
Now a tailor's bill I seldom fill
And I never do take measure
I make no debt which doth me let
In the taking of my pleasure
Nor ever will till I grow old
When I must give it over
For then old age will me engage
For being a rambling comber
So pitcher boy I'll now employ
While I have cash or credit
I'll rant and roar and I'll call for the store
And I'll pay them when I have it
For this is always on my mind
Let me be drunk or sober
A bowl of punch my thirst to quench
And ... (?) October
For it's oh my dear how I love strong beer
Oh I'm a rambling comber