[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
(or, The Postman’s ‘Oliday)
A popular song from 1901
Words by Eustace Baynes and Edgar Bateman
Music by Maurice Scott
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
I works just like a nigger, and I isn’t over strong
And I’m mostly on my trotters all the time
So I’m glad when Easter Monday or a Whitsun comes along
‘Cause a day of puffick rest is really prime
So I lately took it easy cause I ‘ad a day to spare
Wiv the wife and kiddies in their Sunday clothes
‘Twas a treat to make my mind up for a little country air
And the pleasures of a quet day’s repose
Chorus
There was me and the Missus, and the ‘arf-a-dozen kids
Starting in the morning for the Zoo
‘Twas a precious way, you know but we made our minds to go
And we took the lot to Eppin’ Forest, too
Highgate, Barnet, ‘Ampstead, Peckham Rye
At the Crystal Palace made a stay
We got weary on our pins, and we lost the blooming twins
But I’m glad we ‘ad a nice quiet day