Yorkshire Garland
 

Rothwell Debtors' Prison Song

 
Performed by:
Ruth Price and Sadie Greenwood
Recorded in:
Peterborough
Recorded on:
01/07/2009
Recorded by:
Ruth Price and Sadie Greenwood
Genre:
Social History
Keywords:
Prison
 

Archival information

TYG:
105
Key:
E
Time Signature:
Free Time
Roud id:
0
Laws id:
Master title:
Rothwell Debtors' Prison Song
Places Cited:
Rothwell

Lyrics

1
We bid you welcome, brother debtor, to this poor but nary place,
Where no bailiff, bum or satyr dare to show his frightful face.

2
Now, kind sir, as you’re a stranger down your garnish you must lay,
Or your coat will be in danger, you must either strip or pay.

3
Ne’er repine at your confinement, from your childer and your wife,
For wisdom lies in true resignment*, through the varied scenes of life.

4
What was it made great Alexander weep at his unhappy fate?
It was because he could not wander through this wide, strong prison gate.

5
Every island is a prison strongly guarded by the sea.
Kings and princes for that reason prisoners are as well as we.

* = resignation

Archival information

TYG:
105
Key:
E
Time Signature:
Free Time
Roud id:
0
Laws id:
Master title:
Rothwell Debtors' Prison Song
Places Cited:
Rothwell