Some years ago at (I think) Bedford (England) Folk Music Club, the question arose of why Jenny spiked his guns and/or shopped him. I went home and thought about it, and I present the result below. When I was with that Kevin, the one from Killarney, He was always showing off, he'd a smashing line in Blarney. Once he pinched a pair of pistols when he'd had a drop of beer, Then he said, "Here Jenny, I've just had a great idea!" Musha … (etc) Next morning he rose early, despite a bad hangover From a record-breaking pub-crawl with this best mate, the Wild Rover, You'd think this was a hotel – when he felt like it he'd drop in: And who had to do the washing and the cleaning and the shopping? When he came home later on, well his dinner was stone-cold, But he emptied out his pockets and produced a pile of gold. He said "Who's a clever boy then, me darlin' sportin' Jenny?" Thinks I, you'll piss it up the wall and I won't see a penny! That night I took his pistols and I filled them up with water, 'Cos I knew he'd be arrested, and I didn't want no slaughter; When they picked him up next morning, he was hardly compliment'ry! But I heard he got away when he knocked down a sentry. He went and joined his brother, the one that's in the army, Now they ride the range together – well, the pair of them are barmy! I suppose I'm well rid – after all, he was a mugger; But still, I must admit, that I miss the silly bugger. (C) Steve Parkes
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