Now All You Lads

Words and music are in The Copper Family Song Book and in Bob Copper's book A Song for Every Season.

Now all you lads that go a-courting
Mind which way you choose a wife,
For if you marry my wife's sister
You'll be a beggar for the rest of your life.

Twenty, eighteen, sixteen, fourteen,
Twelve, ten, eight, six, four, two, none,
Nineteen, seventeen, fifteen, thirteen,
Eleven, nine, seven, five, three, and one.

Notes:

This was the shortest song Jim knew and he had developed a terrific speed in the chorus "Twenty, eighteen, etc." and thereby frequently qualified for the free pint of beer offered by the landlord of the local inn to the first man to sing a song.