A comely dame of Islington had got leaky copper;
The hole that made the liquor run was wanting of a stopper.
A jolly tinker undertook and promised her most fairly,
With a thump, thump, thump, and a knick, knack, knock,
To do her business rarely.
He turned the vessel to the ground, said he, "A good old copper,
But it well may leak for I have found a hole in it that's a whopper
But never doubt a tinker's stroke, but though he's black and surly,
With a thump, thump, thump, and a knick, knack, knock,
He'll do your business rarely."
This man of mettle opened wide his budget's mounth to please her,
Says he, "This tool I've oft employed about such jobs as these are."
With that, the jolly tinker took a stroke or two most kindly:
With a thump, thump, thump, and a knick, knack, knock,
He did her business finely.
As soon as he had done the feat he cried, "Tis very hot-o!
This thrifty labour makes me sweat, give me a cooling pot-o."
Says she, "Bestow the other stroke before you take your farewell,
With a thump, thump, thump, and a knick, knack, knock,
And you may drink a barrel!"