Parson and the Clerk, The

DESCRIPTION: Parson preaches against sin; clerk wants to do it. Parson denounces coveting gold, saying it's his fate to be well-paid. Clerk says, "Give it to me." Parson deplores boys kissing hussies; clerk says "I've done it myself and they're fond of it too." Etc.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1949 (recorded from Phil Tanner)
LONG DESCRIPTION: Parson preaches against various sins; clerk says he wants to do them. Parson denounces coveting gold, saying it's his fate to be well-paid. Clerk says, "Give it to me." He tells those sinned against to turn the other cheek; clerk says, "I'll break his nose." Parson deplores young boys kissing hussies; clerk says "I've done it myself and they're fond of it too." Parson preaches temperance; clerk says "I am awfully dry."
KEYWORDS: virtue courting sin drink dialog humorous religious clergy worker
FOUND IN: Britain(Wales) Australia
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Kennedy-FolksongsOfBritainAndIreland 235, "The Parson and the Clerk" (1 text, 1 tune)
Palmer-EnglishCountrySongbook, #29, "The Parson and the Clerk" (1 text, 1 tune)
Meredith/Tritton-DukeOfTheOutback, pp. 91-92, "The Parson and His Clerk" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #1154
RECORDINGS:
Phil Tanner, "The Parson and the Clerk" (on FSB10)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Soldier and the Sailor" (theme)
cf. "The Mare and the Foal" (theme)
NOTES [54 words]: Verse 6 of this song runs, "I bid you work and pray, And don't do all your parson does, But do as your parson say." Compare Matthew 23:3 -- "Do and obey what [the scribes and Pharisees] tell you, but not what they do, for they preach but do not practice."
It will presumably be obvious that "clerk" is pronounced "clark." - RBW
Last updated in version 4.3
File: K235

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Song List

Go to the Ballad Index Instructions
Go to the Ballad Index Bibliography or Discography