Parlor Songs

Lyrics

[BEADLE] Sweet Polly Plunkett lay in the grass Turned her eyes heavenward, sighing "I am a lass who alas loves a lad Who alas has a lass in Canterbury 'Tis a row dow diddle dow day 'Tis a row dow diddle dow dee" [MRS. LOVETT, spoken] Oh, Beadle Bamford, I didn't know you was a music lover, too [BEADLE, spoken] Oh, when I saw this dear old song book I couldn't resist [BEADLE] Sweet Polly Plunkett saw her life pass Flew down the city road, crying "I am a lass who alas loves a lad Who alas has a lass loves another lad Who once I had In Canterbury 'Tis a row dow diddle dow day 'Tis a row dow diddle dow dee" [BEADLE, spoken] Well, ma'am, I hope you have a few moments You see there's been complaints [MRS. LOVETT, spoken] Complaints? [BEADLE, spoken] It's about the stink from your chimney Just a routine inspection of course Ah, one of mother's favorites... [BEADLE] If one bell rings in the Tower of Bray Ding dong! Your true love will stay Ding dong! One bell today In the Tower of Bray Ding dong! [BEADLE, spoken] Anyway ma'am, health regulations being my duty I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to let me take a look [MRS. LOVETT, spoken] At the bakehouse? [BEADLE, spoken] That's right, ma'am [MRS. LOVETT, spoken] Oh, but it's locked you see, and I don't have the key Mr. Todd, he's got the key, and he's not here right now [BEADLE, spoken] When will he be back? [MRS. LOVETT, spoken] Well, I couldn't say, I'm sure [BEADLE, spoken] Then we'll just have to wait for him ma'am [BEADLE] But if two bells ring in the Tower of Bray Ding dong, ding dong! Your true love will stray Ding dong [BEADLE & TOBIAS, TOBIAS] Ding dong! Two bells today in the Tower of Bray Ding dong, ding dong! [BEADLE, spoken] What's that? [MRS. LOVETT, spoken] Oh, oh that's just the lad what helps me with the pies [BEADLE, spoken] But surely he's in the bakehouse, then isn't he? [MRS. LOVETT, spoken] Oh yes, yes, oh yes of course! But you see, last week he run off And we found him two days later Down by the embankment half-starved, poor thing So ever since then, we locks him in for his own security Oh! Do have a try at the third bell, it always touches my heart [BEADLE] If three bells ring in the Tower of Bray— [BEADLE, spoken] Oh, since you're a fellow music lover, ma'am Why not raise your voice along with mine? [MRS. LOVETT, spoken] All right [BEADLE] Ding dong! [MRS. LOVETT] Ding dong! [BEADLE] Ding dong! [BEADLE & MRS. LOVETT] Your love's gone away [BEADLE] Ding dong! [MRS. LOVETT] Ding dong! [BEADLE & TOBIAS] Ding dong! [BEADLE] Three bells today [BEADLE & MRS. LOVETT] In the Tower of Bray [BEADLE & TOBIAS] Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong! [BEADLE] If four bells ring in Tower of— [MRS. LOVETT, spoken] How many bells are there? [BEADLE, spoken] Twelve [BEADLE] Ding dong! [MRS. LOVETT] Ding dong! [TOBIAS] Ding dong! [BEADLE] Ding dong! [BEADLE, MRS. LOVETT & TOBIAS] Then lovers must pray! [BEADLE] Ding dong! [MRS. LOVETT] Ding dong! [TOBIAS] Ding dong! [BEADLE] Ding dong! [BEADLE & TOBIAS] Four bells today In the Tower of Bray [BEADLE, MRS. LOVETT & TOBIAS] Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong [BEADLE & TOBIAS] Ding dong!