Boozing

[ Roud 30064 ; Mudcat 52837 , 65936 ; trad.]

Mike Harding sang Boozing, Bloody Well Boozing in 1977 on his Rubber Records album Mike Harding’s Back.

John Roberts and Tony Barrand sang Boozing Live at Holsteins, Chicago, in November 1982. They noted:

John heard Boozing at a folk club in England around 1970, sung by Tim Hart and Maddy Prior.

Cyril Tawney sang Boozing on his 1994 Neptune Tapes cassette of songs about drink and drinkers, Down the Hatch. He noted:

I derived this very basic but popular drinking song from a number of people, most notably and surprisingly Henry Trefusis, a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall. Not only was he a former sailing buddy of Bob Roberts, he also introduced him to the melodeon.

Daoirí Farrell sang Boozing on his 2009 CD The First Turn. He laconically noted:

Ah, the joys of boozing.

Lyrics

John Roberts and Tony Barrand sing Boozing

Now what are the joys of a single young man?
Why, boozing, bloody well boozing!
And what is he doing whenever he can?
Why, boozing, bloody well boozing!
You may think I’m wrong or you may think I’m right,
I’m not going to argue, I know you can fight.
But what do you think we are doing tonight?
Why, boozing, bloody well boozing!

Chorus (after each verse):
Boozing, boozing, just you and I,
Boozing, boozing, when we are dry.
Some do it openly, some on the sly,
But we all are bloody well boozing.

And what are the joys of a poor married man?
Why, boozing, bloody well boozing!
And what is he doing whenever he can?
Why, boozing, bloody well boozing!
He comes home at night and he gives his wife all,
He goes out a-shopping, makes many a call.
But what brings him home hanging on to the wall?
Why, boozing, bloody well boozing!

And what does the Salvation Army run down?
Why, boozing, bloody well boozing!
And what are they banning in every town?
Why, boozing, bloody well boozing!
The stand on street corners, they rave and they shout,
They shout about things they know nothing about.
But what are they doing when the lights are turned out?
Why, boozing, bloody well boozing!

Daoirí Farrell sings Boozing

What do you think I’ve been doing all day?
Boozing, bloody well boozing!
And how do you think I’ve been spending my pay?
Boozing, bloody well boozing!
Don’t say I’m not wrong for you know I’m not right,
Don’t argue the toss for you know I can’t fight.
Where would you like me to take you tonight?
Boozing, bloody well boozing!

Chorus (after each verse):
Boozing, boozing, when you are dry,
Boozing, boozing, suits you and I.
Some does it open, and more on the sly,
But all of us likes to go boozing!

And what are the joys of the labouring man?
Boozing, bloody well boozing!
What is he doing whenever he can?
Boozing, bloody well boozing!
Comes home on a Saturday, gives his wife all,
She heads to the market, makes many a call.
But what brings her home clinging on to a wall?
Boozing, bloody well boozing!

And what does the Salvation Army shoot down?
Boozing, bloody well boozing!
And what are they preaching in every town?
Boozing bloody well boozing!
They preach, they don’t practice of that there’s no doubt,
And on the street comer they stand and they shout.
But what are they doing when the lights have gone out?
Boozing, bloody well boozing!

What are the joys of old Jolly Jack Tar?
Boozing,bloody well boozing!
What are the joys of our bold sons of war?
Boozing, bloody well boozing!
And what makes England the land of the free?
And if another French war were to be?
Where would you find all the bold RIC?
Out boozing, bloody well boozing!