The Urban Elf

Hobbesbottom Town

Hobbesbottom Town
where the ale flows free
and the girls are good for the dancing

Hobbesbottom Town
where the music is loud
and the mayor is proud
but the constables n’er ask a question

I went on a trip to Hobbesbottom Town
when the coins were last in my hand
the fair wage they paid
for a day and an age
of honestly workin’ the land

I went to the tavern
with the bull `bove the door
the tail of the rooster he’s eatin’
pushed past the man with the fry’n pan hands
and the eyes that warned of a beatin’

(chorus)

Made my way to the bar
through a rollicking crowd
to get myself a libation
the barkeep he smiled
with eyes rather wild,
winked as he passed me my drink,
“Have fun little man as best as you can
and welcome to our own little nation.”

I threw back a swallow
then two maybe four
and my feet beat time on the floor
then someone grabbed my hand
swung me to the dance
and I did my true best just to follow

(chorus)

Well the dance was the thing
and my tankard never seemed empty
I was passed hand to hand
odd each one seemed a man
where were the Town girls to tempt me?

Well we danced and we spun
until dizzy and lost
I was tossed up into this thing
then old frying pan hands said
“Relax little man,
really, it’s only a swing”

Hobbesbottom Town
where the ale flows free
and the girls are good for the dancing

Hobbesbottom Town
where the music is loud
and the mayor is proud
but the constables n’er ask a question

- traditional -