Basket Of Eggs Lyrics & Chords By Tony Rose

Down in Sandbank fields, two sailors were a-walking,
Their pockets were both lined with gold,
And as together they were talking,
A fair little maid they did behold,
With a little basket of eggs standing by her,
As she lay down to take her ease.
To carry it for her one of them offered.
The answer was: "Sir, if you please."

So it's one of these sailors he took the little basket.
"There's eggs in the basket, please take care;
And if by chance you should out-walk me,
At the Half-way House please leave them there."
Behold these sailors, they did outwalk her,
The Half-way House they did pass by.
The pretty damsel she laughed at their fancy,
And on the sailors she kept her eye.

Oh it's when these two sailors came into an ale-house,
There they did call for a pint of wine,
It's "Landlord, landlord, what fools in the nation!
This pretty maid from her eggs we have twined.
Landlord, landlord, bring us some bacon.
We have got these eggs and we'll have some dressed."
Behold these sailors were very much mistaken,
As you shall say when you hear the rest.

Oh 'twas then that the landlord he went unto the basket,
Expecting there some eggs for to find.
He said: "Young man, you're very much mistaken,
Instead of eggs I found a child."
Then one of them sat down to weeping,
The other said: "It's not worth while.
Here's fifty guineas I'll give to the baby
If any woman will take the child."

This pretty little damsel was sitting by the fire
And she had a shawl drawn over her face.
She said: "I'll take it and I'll kindly use it,
But first I must see the money paid."
One of the sailors he threw down the money,
Great favour to the babe was shown.
"Well since it is so, then let's all be friendly,
For you know, this baby is yours and mine."

For it's "Don't you remember a-dancing with Nancy,
As long ago as last Easter day?"
"Oh yes, I do, and it pleased my fancy,
And now the fiddler I have paid."
One of the sailors he went to the basket
And he kicked the basket over and o'er.
"Well, since it is so, may we be all contented,
But I'm hanged if I'll like eggs any more."