Four Comic Songs/Washing Day

Washing Day.

The sky with clouds was overcast,
The rain began to fall,
My wife she beat the children,
And raised a pretty squall:
She bade me, with a scolding look,
To get out of the way;
The de'il a bit of comfort is there
On the washing day.

For it is thump, thump, scold, scold,
Thump thump away;
The de'il a bit of comfort is there
On a washing day.

My Kate she is a bonny wife,
There's none more free from evil,
Except upon a washing day,
And then she is the devil:
The very kittens on the hearth
Thy dare not even tplay;
Away they jump with many a thump,
Upon a washing day.
For its thump, thump, &c.

A friend of mine once asked me,
"How long's poor Kate been dead?"
Lamenting the good creature,
And sorry I was wed
To such a scolding vixen,
Whilst he had been sea:
The truth it was he chanced to come
Upon a washing day.
For it is thump thump, &c.

I asked him to stay and dine,—
"Come, come," said I, "odds bud!
I'll no denial take—you shall,
Though Kate is in the suds."
But what he had to dine upon
In faith I shall not say;
But I'll wager he'll no come again
Upon a washing day.
For it is thump, thump, &c.

On that sad morning when I rise,
I make a fervent prayer
Unto the gods, that it may be
Throughout the day quite fair;
That not a gown or handkerchief
May in the ditch be laid;
For should it happen so, egad,
I should catch a broken head.
For it is thump, thump, &c.