The Black Maria, O

From the musical “McNooney’s Visit”, 1887.
Words by Edward Harrigan.
Music by Dave Braham.

The sheet music:

The-Black-Maria-O – SHEET MUSICDownload

Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:

The_Black_Maria_O – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  1. Oh here we come in filth and rags
    We snoozers sneak with tramp and bags
    We’re bound away for Blackwell’s Isle
    The summer months to rest awhile
    There’s highway men and ten day bums
    All drag’d from alleys dark courts and slums
    From booseing kens and crooked drums
    To ride in the Black Maria, O

Chorus
Today we sail to the county jail
To eat our meat and mushy meal
There’s many a man, that’s out on bail
Who ought to be in the Maria O

  1. Oh ev’ry one in county jail
    Must stand in line with coffee pail
    Then all sit down in Royal style
    To eat their hash on Blackwell’s Isle
    With picks and shovels then off we go
    To dig in quarries what slavery, oh
    Take our advise, both friend and foe
    Keep out of the Black Maria, O
  2. Oh my, oh my, when we’re afloat
    A-sailing on the Belvue boat
    We chant and sing in happy style
    All pals that’s bound for Blackwell’s Isle
    It’s farewell Molly and red-hair’d Mag
    With Cork leg’d Dolly the squint-eyed hag
    They all hung out at the old Burnt Rag
    And rode in the Black Maria, O
  3. It’s there you’ll find the toughest gangs
    Sweet Ladies too, with curls and bangs
    They march along, in Indian file
    And keep lock step on Blackwell’s Isle
    Our Prison cells are cold and bleak
    Their iron doors they creak and shriek
    Now if misfortune, boys you’d seek
    Come ride in the Black Marie, O

Sung here by Vancha March: