Folk and Traditional Song Lyrics:
Pills of White Mercury

Pills of White Mercury

Pills of White Mercury

As I was a walking by the banks of the Ugie
Come my dear friends and a story I'll relate
I spied a dear comrade all dressed in white flannel
Dressed in white flannel and cruel was his fate

The mercury was beating, the limestone was reeking
His tongue all inflamed hung over his chin
A hole in his bosom, his teeth were a closin'
Bad luck to the girl that had gi'ed him the Phlegm (flame?)

Chorus:
  And had she but told me, oh when she dishonored me
  Had she but told me of it in time
  I might have been cured by those pills of white mercury
  Now I am a young man cut down in my prime

My parents they warned me and oftimes they chided
With those young flash girls do not sport and play
But I never listened, no I never heeded
I just carried on in my own wicked way

[Chorus]

It's down on the corner two flash girls were talking
One to the other did whisper and say
There goes that young man who once was so jolly
But now for his sins his own body must pay

[Chorus]

Oh doctor, dear doctor before your departure
Take all these bottles of mercury away
And send for the minister to say a prayer over me
So they can put my poor body in the clay

[Chorus]

Now get you six fellow to carry my coffin
Six pretty fair maids to bear up my pall
And give each of them there a bunch of red roses
So when they pass by me they'll not know the smell

[Chorus]

DT #350
Laws B1
XX
APR99