BENJAMIN BOWMANEER
(learned from my brother Herm Fitz in the 1960s
who learned it from Merritt Herring)
Do you know how the war began, Benjamin Bowmaneer?
Do you know how the war began, casters away?
Do you know the war began, when England fought to a man,
And the bold tailor went prancing away.
Of his shear board made he a horse, Benjamin Bowmaneer?
Of his shear board made he a horse, casters away?
Of his shear board made he a horse, all for him to ride across,
And the bold tailor...
Of his scissors made he bridle bits, to keep his horse in its wits,
As the tailor rode o'er the lea, he spied a flea on his knee,
Of his needle he made a spear, to pierce that flea through its ear,
Of his thimble made he a bell, for to ring that flea's funeral knell,
So that's how the war began, when England fought to a man,
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)