Calligan – Call Again

A popular song from 1900.
Words and music by Herbert Rutter & Harry Lauder.


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. Now Calligan, the tailor, always used to make my clothes
    And I always used to pay so much a week
    He always used to suit me well, and never did I suppose
    He’d prove himself a very nasty sneak
    Some time ago from Calligan, a pair of pants I bought
    But since I’ve had them trousers
    Well, my work has fallen short
    I missed him for a fort-night as I’d not the cash to pay
    So when he called upon me for his cash the other day

Chorus:
Said I to Calligan, “You’ll have to call again”
“Call again?” said Calligan, “Not I”
Said I to Calligan, “You’ll have to call again
For I haven’t got your M-O-N-E-Y”
Calligan vowed that he wouldn’t call again
He swore he’d put the coppers on my track
Well, my temper rose, and then said I to Calligan
“Call again and take your trousers back”

  1. “Calligan,” said I to him, “I’ve dealt with you for years
    And you must admit you’ve always found me straight
    And so I will be this time, but, in spite of all your fears
    There’s not the slightest doubt you’ll have to wait
    “Wait bedad!” said Calligan, and then his temper rose
    We argued till I really thought our words would come to blows
    Said he, “Now when do you intend to settle up this score?”
    I said, “When we go on full time,” and then again once more
  2. Calligan, quite angry, said no longer would he wait
    Though I told him I would pay him fair and square
    He told me for to take them off, tho’ I to him did state
    That they were all that I had got to wear
    “Take them off,” said Calligan, “I’ll take them back with me
    And I’ll let you have them back when you can pay the L. S. D.
    Said I to him, “What shall I be without a pair of pants?”
    Said he, “A living picture or else table-aux-vivants”

Sung by Vancha March: