Kate Rusby - The Duke and the Tinker Lyrics
As fame reports a young duke kept a courtHe pleased himself with his frolicsome sportHe found a poor tinker lying drunk on the groundIn such a deep sleep he heard not a soundHe said to his men, Richard, William, and BenWe'll away to my palace and we'll sport with him thenHe was carefully carried to the palace so grandNone would compare in all of this landThey stripped him down bare and he had not a careThey washed down his body, his face and his hairThey put on a nightgown of bright crimson and redAnd left him to sleep in the duke's golden bedIn the morning when day, then admiring he layFor to see the rich chamber both gaudy and gayHe looked all around him and was so amazedAnd admired how he to this honor was raisedThough he seemed somewhat mute, he chose a rich suitWhich he straightway put on without longer disputeFrom a place of convenience, the duke his good graceObserved the man, in every caseA fine dinner was dressed both for him and his guestsHe was placed at the table above all the restHe had wine, he had brandy and soon he did snoreBeing seven times drunker than ever beforeThen the duke did ordain they should strip him againAnd restore him to a tinker, and to ever remainAgain he was carried to the side of the roadBack once again where they first found their loadHe slept all the night as indeed he well mightBut when he did waken his joys took their flightOh the power and the glory so pleasant did seemHe thought it to be but a mere golden dream
