|
|
| Richard Churchley, an
established member of our Society, is an enthusiastic devotee of folk music and is
well-known locally. He not only sings traditional songs but invents new ones in the folk
music idiom. One such is 'The Ballad of Barber Morrall', based on an Alcester barber-surgeon of around 1800. The music has been produced on tape but the words are as follow: |
|
1. Come listen now, good people, and a tale to you I'll tell
About a Catholic barber who in Alcester Town did dwell.
His name it was Morrall and there's a moral to this tale:
Make use of what is there for you and pay up without fail.
Chorus: You should pay your tithes and taxes ·- always pay what's due
But make good use of services available to you.
2. This good barber-surgeon was visited one day, The parish clerk then asked him his Easter dues to pay, "I'll not pay," said Mr Morrall, "I'm sorry now my friend, It would be wrong to pay because your church I don't attend".
Chorus: You should pay etc.
3. When the parson heard of this into a rage he flew. "I'll go and see the barber and make him pay what's due" He hobbled to Mr Morrall a-standing at his door. "Good morning to you parson. What have you come here for?"
Chorus: You should pay etc.
4. "All my good parishioners pay me my Easter fees. So, good barber, pay up now, pay me, if you please."
"I'll not pay," said Mr Morrall, "I'm sorry now, my friend. It would be wrong to pay, because your church I don't attend."
Chorus: You should pay etc.
5. You should attend my church my man, it is open for you. My curate and I would serve you well, so now pay what is due." "I have some urgent business," said the barber with a smile "I'll not pay you now," he said "but I'll think on it for a
while."
Chorus: You should pay etc.
6. It was not two days after that the parson had a bill From the barber-surgeon to pay for all his skill. Shaving, cutting hair, drawing teeth and for a wig. For bleeding and cupping and dressing the parson's leg.
Chorus: You should pay etc.
7. "What do you mean by sending this?" said the parson with a frown.
"I'm always served by the other barber-surgeon in the town"
"You should attend my shop, good sir, it is open for you.
Chorus: You should pay etc
