Policeman G.

Portrait of Andrew Barton Paterson
Andrew Barton Paterson 1864–1941

To Policeman G. the Inspector said: "When you pass the 'shops' you must turn your head; If you took a wager, that would be a sin; So you'll earn no stripes if you run them in." Mush-a-ring-tiy-ah, Fol-de-diddle-doh! To the House Committee, the Inspector said: "'Tis a terrible thing how the gamblers spread, For they bet on the steeple, and they bet on the Cup, And the magistrates won't lock them up." Mush-a-ring-tiy-ah, Fol-de-diddle-doh!

But Policeman G., as he walks his beat, Where ghe gamblers are -- up and down the street -- Says he: "What's the use to be talkin' rot -- If they'd make me a sergeant, I could cop the lot!" With my ring-tiy-ah, Fol-de-diddle-doh!

"But, begad if you start to suppress the 'shop', Then the divil only knows where you're going to stop; For the rich and the poor, they would raise a din, If at Randwick I ran fifty thousand in." Mush-a-ring-tiy-ah, Fol-de-diddle-doh!

"Though ye must not box -- nor shpit -- nor bet, I'll find my way out to Randwick yet; For I'm shtandin' a pound -- and it's no disgrace -- On Paddy Nolan's horse -- for the Steeplechase!" Mush-a-ring-tiy-ah, Fol-de-diddle-doh!

Keep reading

Discover more of Andrew Barton Paterson’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.