While The Billy BoilsSearchWhat curious expressions are goingThe round of the colony now;And from the slang terms there’s no knowing,The meaning of folks, I avow.List to me, for your careful attention,I respectfully beg to invite;There’s one in particular I’ll mention,I mean the expression “all right.”
Chorus — Your attention I beg to invite,And I’ll prove it quite plain by my song,That when folks exclaim, “It’s all right,”Nine times out of ten it’s all wrong.
A friend comes some money to borrow,You lend it, perhaps, like a flat;You believe he’ll return it to-morrow,There’s no fallacy greater than that.He blows about some speculation,That will soon make a man of him quite;And he blinds you with this exclamation,“I assure you, my boy, it’s all right.”Your attention I beg, &c.
The loafer who ne’er soils his fingers,And of gold who won’t work for an ounce;You’ll find in hotels often lingers,And orders a glass on the bounce.And his tumbler with brandy half filling,He’ll drink and commence then to skite;And replies, when he’s asked for the shilling,“Stick it up, you know me, it’s all right.”Then attention I beg, &c.
There was never a greater delusion,Than giving high prices for land;And hundreds, unto their confusion,Have lost money hand over hand.The auctioneer gives champagne lunches,’Tis a bait at which greenhorns will bite;And the victim imbibes, and he munches,And like a fool thinks it’s all right.Then attention I beg, &c.
If you’re dragged into some litigation,To a lawyer you go with your case;He’s too knowing to use an evasion,But tells you a lie to your face.His bosom thus laying his hand upon,With law terms he’ll puzzle you quite;And although you have no leg to stand upon,Says, “we’re certain to win, it’s all right.”Then attention I beg, &c.
To a doctor you go if you’re poorly,Your complaint and its symptoms you tell;Of course he receives you demurely,And proceeds then to physic you well.And should he perceive you’re a ninny,With long words he’ll put you in a fright;And as long as you pay him a guinea,’Twill be sometime before you’re all right.Then attention I beg, &c.
Many more proofs I might bring before you,But if you’re at all up to snuff,It’s needless now further to bore you,For a word to the wise is enough.There’s one thing I’d say, in addition,Ponder well what I’ve sung of to-night;And look with a deal of suspicion,On whatever folks say is “all right.”Then attention I beg, &c.