192. The Burglar Man


192
The Burglar Man

This piece of music-hall humor has heen reported as traditional
song, of a sort, in Mississippi (FSM 249-50), and the Archive of
American Folk Song has a recording of it made in Kentucky.
Otherwise I have not found it reported as folk song.

'The Burglar Man.' From the John Burch Biaylock Collection.

1 I'll tell you a story of a burglar man
Who toddled to a robber's house.

He peeped in the window and in he crept.
Just as quiet as a mouse.

2 He was thinking of some money to get.
While under the bed he lay ;
Burglar saw a sight that night

That made his hair turn grey.

3 About nine o'clock an old maid came m.
'I'm so tired,' she said.

Glad to see her home was well.
She forgot to look under the bed.

4 She took out her teeth and a big glass eye.
The hair ofT of her head ;

The burglar man had nineteen fits
As he came from under the bed.

5 From under the bed this burglar came ;
He was a total wreck.

The old maid didn't holler at all
But she grabbed him round the neck.

6 She drew out a revolver.
Unto the burglar said.

'Young man, you had better marry me.
Or I'll blow oflf the top of your head.'

7 She held him by the arm so tight
He had no chance to scoot ;

He looked up to the old maid :
'Woman, for the Lord's sake shoot!'

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188

 


192

The Burglar Man

'The Burglar Man.' Sung by H. J. Beaker. Recorded probably at Boone,
Watauga county, August 1939, I940. or 1941.

 

 

Scale: Hexatonic (6), plagal. Tonal Center: f. Structure: abed (2,2,2,2).