A 1866 popular song.
Words and music by E. W. Locke.
Song suggested by Peter Masri.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- A bold and mighty tailor went on a Western trip
To see his new relations and exercise his lip
To keep his valor burning, he often took a nip
To keep his valor burning, he often took a nip
Chorus
Swinging round the circle
Swinging round the circle
Swinging round the circle
With Andy on the brain
Swinging round the circle
Swinging round the circle
He might have still been swinging
If he had not heard from Maine
- He took his Uncle Billy to help him on his way
To keep him out of danger, and tell him what to say
Likewise his Parson Nasby, to taste his food and pray
Likewise his Parson Nasby, to taste his food and pray - The people flocked to see him, as honest people do
To see a Giascutis or any monster new
He left the constitution and bade them all adieu
He left the constitution and bade them all adieu - He’s going to be Dictator whene’er he takes the freak
The little job’s so easy, he’s only just to speak
But since the Maine election, he’s put it off a week
But since the Maine election, he’s put it off a week - He heard the Western thunders peal out from State to State
He saw the lurid lightnings record his coming fate
He thought about repentance, alas, it was too late
He thought about repentance, alas, it was too late - Their hearts becoming shaky, they hurried o’er the rails
‘Tis found that Andy’s frightened, and poor old Billy fails
They longed for home and quiet, before the Autumn gales
They longed for home and quiet, before the Autumn gales - The moments running swiftly, each man begins to sink
Poor Seward takes to Physic, while Andy takes to drink
And then they send for Beecher, who’s lost his negro kink
And then they send for Beecher, who’s lost his negro kink
Sung here by Fred Feild: