Here's to the baker I must bring him in
charges tuppence a loaf and he'll think it no sin
when he do bring it in it's no bigger than your fist
and the top of the loaf is popped off with the yeast
And honesty's all out of fashion
these are the rigs of the times, times me boys
these are the rigs of the times
Here's to the butcher I must bring him in
he charges fourpence a pound and he'll think it no sin
slaps his hand on the scale-weight to make it go down
he swears it's good weight when it wants half a pound
And honesty's all out of fashion
these are the rigs of the times, times me boys
these are the rigs of the times
Here's to the tailor who skimps on our clothes
and the shoemaker who pinches our toes
so our bellies go empty our backsides go bare
it's no wonder we've reason to curse and to swear
That honesty's all out of fashion
these are the rigs of the times, times me boys
these are the rigs of the times
Now the very best thing that the people could find
is to huff them all up in a high gale of wind
and the wind it will blow and the cloud it will burst
and the biggest old rascal come tumbling down first
Honesty's all out of fashion
these are the rigs of the times, times me boys
these are the rigs of the times
I looked to the east, I looked to the west
I saw John Ball a coming a calling
With four blind horses riding in the clouds
To look on the other side of Jordan
Chorus:
Pull of your old coat and roll up your sleeves
Jordan is a hard road to travel I believe
Thunders in the clouds, lighting in the trees
What do you think that I told him?
It's goodbye son 'til the next kingdom come
And I'll meet you on the other side of Jordan
[Chorus]
The ladies of England have made a big address
About slavery and hardships according
They better look at home to their own white slaves
They're starving on the English side of Jordan
[Chorus]
There were snakes in Ireland not many years ago
St Patrick saw the vermin all a crawling
But with his shillelagh he hit them on the head
And he drove them 'cross the other side of Jordan
[Chorus]
And Jonah spent three days in the belly of a whale
Three days and two nights then according
He tickled him with a straw which caused him to laugh
And he chucked him on the other side of Jordan
Up London City I made my way,
up Cheapside I chose to stray,
where a fair pretty maid I there did meet,
and I greeted her with kisses sweet.
(x2)
I was up to the rigs,
down to the jigs,
up to the rigs of London Town.
She took me to some house of sin,
and boldly then she entered in,
proudly for supper she did call,
thinking that I would pay for it all.
(x2)
I was up to the rigs,
down to the jigs,
up to the rigs of London Town.
The supper over the table clear,
the waiter brought white wine and red,
the waiter brought white wine and red,
and a chambermaid prepared the bed.
I was up to the rigs,
down to the jigs,
up to the rigs of London Town.
Between the hours of one and two,
she asked me if to bed I'd go,
immediately I did consent,
and along with this pretty maid then I went.
(x2)
I was up to the rigs,
down to the jigs,
up to the rigs of London Town.
Her cheeks were white, her lips were red,
I kissed her as she lay in bed,
as soon as she was fast asleep,
out of the bed I did creep.
(x2)
I was up to the rigs,
down to the jigs,
up to the rigs of London Town.
I was up to the rigs,
down to the jigs,
up to the rigs!
I searched her pockets and there I found,
a silver snuff box and ten pound,
a golden watch and a diamond ring,
well I took the lot and then I locked her in.
(x4)
I was up to the rigs,
down to the jigs,
up to the rigs of London Town.
(chorus x2)
I was up to the rigs,
down to the jigs,
up to the rigs of London Town.
Come young man and listen to me,
if you meet a pretty girl then use her free,
use her free but don't get pied,
remember me when I was up Cheapside!
(x2)
I was up to the rigs,
down to the jigs,
up to the rigs of London Town.
(chorus x4)
I was up to the rigs,
down to the jigs,
up to the rigs of London Town.