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EBBA 33004

National Library of Scotland - Crawford
Ballad XSLT Template
The Good-Fellows Counsel:
Or, The Bad Husbands Recantation.
Proving by Arguments both Just and fit,
That he which spends least money has most wit.
To the Tune of, Tan Tivye.

I Had no more wit, but was trod under feet,
and all was for want of money,
I dayly did walk in the fear of a Writ,
and all, etc.
But now i'm resolved to be more wise,
And early each morning I mean for to rise,
There's none for a sluggard that shall me dispise,
when I have no want of money.

I was such a drudge, that it made me to grudge,
because I had got no money,
On each mans occasions I for'st was to trudge,
because I had got no money.
But now i'm resolved i'le do so no more,
I'le drink no strong Ale upon the old score,
And then I do hope I shall never be poor,
when I have no want of money.

I was such a thrift, that I could not make shift,
and all was, etc.
I was ready to hide my head in a clift,
and all, etc.
But now i'm resolved my trade for to mend,
I'le work and get money to keep and to spend,
And then I am sure my foes will me befriend,
when I have no, etc.

I was like a Fool, that's sent unto School,
and all, etc.
And every vile fellow my actions did rule,
and all, etc.
But now i'm resolved I will mend my trade,
I'le get as good cloaths as I can get made,
And then I shall be a bonny bonny Blade,
when I have no want of money.

The second Part, To the same tune.

FOr when I w[a]s poor, and had not a store,
of that which we use to call money,
Then all my proud Neighbours would pass by my door,
because they knew I had no money.
Ile warrant you they'd never ask me to go,
To drink a strong pot because they did know,
My purse and my credit was grown very low,
for want of this raskally money.

Then all my acquaintance my person did slight,
and all was for want of this money,
& some with-held from me that which was my right
because they knew I had no money.
Let me go, let me come, there was no man would heed
When I try'd to be trusted I never could speed
But all my friends fail'd at the time of my need,
because they, etc.

Now all my dear friends be advised by me,
all you that have wanted this money,
Observe but rich people they are not so free,
because they do love to get money.
though presant you be all the whilst that they dine
You'l find them as free as a hungry Swine,
Then i[']le not be lavish of that which is mine,
and I shall have plenty of money.

For a Nigardly gallant i'le not be a slave,
that is not the way to get money,
Their cloaths are so gay they are forced to crave,
and to pinch the poor Labourers money.
These needy young Gallants they are not for me,
Your ordinary people are always most free,
And 'tis better to work for a Farmer than he,
for then a mans sure of his money.

From a paunch-belly'd Hostiss I am to refrain,
if ever I mean to get money,
For she both my purse and my credit will stain,
in making me spend all my money.

She'l ask me to eat when she thinks I have din'd,
Or of some salt bit she will put me in mind,
That will make me to drink & be spending my coin,
that she might be taking my money.

With a Pick-pocket longer I am not to deal,
if ever I mean to get money,
For they have broke more than ever they'l heal,
in cheating poor men of their money.
I never will give to a counsel a Fee,
An Atorny shall ne'r take a penny of me,
For I with my Neighbours so well will agree,
when I have got plenty of money.

All roystering blades I do mean to forsake,
if e're I intend to get money,
They'l tempt me to Wrestle and cudgels at wake,
and cause me to spend all my money.
We sing, and we dance, and we fuddle about,
And when we are in we can never get out,
Until we have given our pockets the rout,
but that's not the way to get money.

But here comes a danger that's worse then the rest
that will tempt a youngman to spend money,
A beautiful Whore when she's handsomely drest,
will quickly consume a mans money.
But all such decoys I intend for to shun,
And honester ways I do mean for to run,
My credit shall raise in the face of the Sun,
when I have got plenty of money.

Ile buy me a house, and i[']le buy me some Land
when I have got plenty of money,
And I will keep servants shall be at command,
when I have got, etc.
And after all this I will get a rich Wife,
For I shall be free from care and from strife,
And I shall live richly all days of my life,
when I have got plenty of money.


FINIS.
Printed for P. Brooksby next to the Golden Ball by the Hospital-Gate in West-Smith-field

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