In Good Old Colony Times

1. In good old colony times,
When we served under the king,
Three roguish chaps fell into mishaps
because they could not sing.

Because they could not sing
Because they could not sing
Three roguish chaps fell into mishaps
Because they could not sing.

2. The first he was a miller,
And the second he was a weaver,
And the third he was a little tailor,
Three roguish chaps together.

Three roguish chaps together.
Three roguish chaps together.
And the third he was a little tailor,
Three roguish chaps together.

3. Now the miller he stole corn
The weaver he stole yarn
And the little tailor he stole broadcloth
For to keep those three rogues warm

For to keep those three rogues warm
For to keep those three rogues warm
And the little tailor he stole broadcloth
For to keep those three rogues warm

4. The miller got drown'd in his dam
The weaver got hung in his yarn
And the devlid clapp'd his claw on the little tailor
With the broadcloth under his arm.

With the broadcloth under his arm.,
With the broadcloth under his arm.,
And the devlid clapp'd his claw on the little tailor
With the broadcloth under his arm.


A popular American folk song from the early 1800's.  It's been collected in North Carolina and other states.  The oddest reference may be an 1889 wax cylinder recording Thomas Edison made of German Chancellor Otto von Bisjmark that begins with him reading the first lines of the song, and he continues with lines from other songs and poems.  You can listen to it on YouTube!