Good people, give ear to my story, we have called for to see you by chance.
Five heroes all broad blithe and bonny intending to give you a dance.
For Earsdon is our habitation, the place we were all born and bred;
There are no finer boys in the nation and none are more gallantly led.
'Tis not for your gold or your silver nor yet for the gain of your gear,
But we come for to take a week's pleasure to welcome the incoming year.
My lads they are all fit for action with spirits and courage so bold,
They are born of the noble instruction their fathers were heroes of old.
The first I shall call is brave Eliot, the first youth that enters the ring,
And right proudly rejoice I to tell it: he fought for his country and king.
When the Spaniards besieged Gibraltar 'twas Eliot defended the place;
And he soon caused their plans for to alter, some died, others fell in disgrace.
Now the next handsome youth that does enter is a boy that is both straight and tall;
He is the son of the great Bonaparte, the hero who conquered them all.
He came over the lowlands like thunder, caused nations to quiver and quake;
Many thousands stood gazing in wonder at the havoc he always did make.
Now you see all my fine noble heroes, my fine noble heroes by birth;
And they each bear as good a character as any such heroes on earth.
If they be as good as their fathers, their deeds are deserving record;
It is all our whole company desires to see how they handle their swords.
Five heroes all broad blithe and bonny intending to give you a dance.
For Earsdon is our habitation, the place we were all born and bred;
There are no finer boys in the nation and none are more gallantly led.
'Tis not for your gold or your silver nor yet for the gain of your gear,
But we come for to take a week's pleasure to welcome the incoming year.
My lads they are all fit for action with spirits and courage so bold,
They are born of the noble instruction their fathers were heroes of old.
The first I shall call is brave Eliot, the first youth that enters the ring,
And right proudly rejoice I to tell it: he fought for his country and king.
When the Spaniards besieged Gibraltar 'twas Eliot defended the place;
And he soon caused their plans for to alter, some died, others fell in disgrace.
Now the next handsome youth that does enter is a boy that is both straight and tall;
He is the son of the great Bonaparte, the hero who conquered them all.
He came over the lowlands like thunder, caused nations to quiver and quake;
Many thousands stood gazing in wonder at the havoc he always did make.
Now you see all my fine noble heroes, my fine noble heroes by birth;
And they each bear as good a character as any such heroes on earth.
If they be as good as their fathers, their deeds are deserving record;
It is all our whole company desires to see how they handle their swords.