Fathom the Bowl

A great drinking song which I learned from the Watersons.

(Several musicologist sources place this to about the latter part of the first half of the 18th century – Jos. Morneault)

 

Come all you bold heroes,
Give ear to my song.
I’ll sing in the praise
Of good brandy and rum.
It’s a clear crystal fountain
Near England shall roll;
Give me the punch ladle,
I’ll fathom the bowl!

Chorus
|: I’ll fathom the bowl, :| 
Give me the punch ladle,
I’ll fathom the bowl!

From France we do get brandy,
From Jamaica comes rum,
Sweet oranges and lemons,
From Portugal come:
But stout and strong cider,
Are England’s control;
Give me the punch ladle,
I’ll fathom the bowl!

My wife she do disturb me
When I lay at my ease.
She does as she likes
And says as she please;
My wife, she’s the Devil,
She’s black as the coal;
Give me the punch ladle,
I’ll fathom the bowl!

My father he do lie in
The depth of the sea,
With no stone at his head,
But what matters for he?
It’s a clear crystal fountain
Near England doth roll;
Give me the punch ladle,
I’ll fathom the bowl!

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