Played in 3/4 time


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It's of two young sailor lads out a-walking
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Their pockets being both lined with gold
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As they went a-walking and civilly talking
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Some fair pretty damsel they do behold. 


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O lady, lady can I carry your basket?
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O there's eggs in the basket oh do take care,
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And if you should chance to outwalk me,
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At the halfway house you'll find me later there. 


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So these two young men they start out walking
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Until they come to the halfway house
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O landlord, landlord have you any bacon?
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For in my basket I've got eggs to fry. 


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So that landlord he went to the basket
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A-thinking he'd got eggs to fry
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O say young man ain't you mistaken?
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O for in this basket we've got a child. 


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Up steps this Nancy o dearest Nancy
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That had taken to bed last Whitsuntide
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We got this young child since I came your fancy
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So now gay fiddler you've got to pay. 


     A5                D5
That child's not ours, lovely Nancy
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He's no babe o' mine nor no friend's beside
    A5                  D5
But I will take it I'll kindly treat it
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If you will say all my money's paid. 


   A5                     D5
Oh that young man went up to the basket
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He's kicked it around and around the floor
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Oh since it is done I will surely pay it
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But damn me if I do eat eggs anymore.

                    (slowly   )
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