Gaol Song

[Verse 1]
Step in young man, I know your face
It's nothing in your favour
A little time I'll give to you
Six months unto hard labour

[Chorus]
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o

[Verse 2]
At six o'clock our gaoler comes in
With a bunch of keys all in his hand
Come my lads, step up and grind
Tread that wheel till breakfast time

[Chorus]
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o

[Verse 3]
At eight o'clock our skilly comes in
It's sometimes thick and it's sometimеs thin
Devil of a word we must not say
Or it's bread and watеr all next day

[Chorus]
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o

[Verse 4]
At half past eight the bell does ring
Into the chapel we must swing
Down on bended knees to fall
O Lord have mercy on us all

[Chorus]
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 5]
Oh, at nine o'clock the jangle rings
All on the trap, boys, we must spring
Come my lads, step up in time
The wheel to tread and the corn to grind

[Chorus]
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o

[Verse 6]
Saturday's come I'm sorry to say
And Sunday's our starvation day
Our hobnail boots, tin mugs too
They are not shined, they will not do

[Bridge]
When six long months are over and past
I will return to my bonny lass
I'll leave the gaolers all behind
The wheel to tread and the corn to grind

[Chorus]
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o
To me hip, to me hip
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o
To me hip, to me hip
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o
To me hip fol the day, hip fol the day
To me hip fol the day fol the digee-o