As fame reports a young duke kept a court
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He pleased himself with his frolicsome sport
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He found a poor tinker lying drunk on the ground
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In such a deep sleep he heard not a sound
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He said to his men, Richard, William, and Ben
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We'll away to my palace and we'll sport with him then
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He was carefully carried to the palace so grand
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None would compare in all of this land
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They stripped him down bare and he had not a care
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They washed down his body, his face and his hair
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They put on a nightgown of bright crimson and red
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And left him to sleep in the duke's golden bed
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In the morning when day, then admiring he lay
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For to see the rich chamber both gaudy and gay
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He looked all around him and was so amazed
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And admired how he to this honor was raised
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Though he seemed somewhat mute, he chose a rich suit
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Which he straightway put on without longer dispute
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From a place of convenience, the duke his good grace
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Observed the man, in every case
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A fine dinner was dressed both for him and his guests
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He was placed at the table above all the rest
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He had wine, he had brandy and soon he did snore
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Being seven times drunker than ever before
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Then the duke did ordain they should strip him again
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And restore him to a tinker, and to ever remain
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Again he was carried to the side of the road
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Back once again where they first found their load
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He slept all the night as indeed he well might
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But when he did waken his joys took their flight
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Oh the power and the glory so pleasant did seem
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The Duke And The Tinker
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Kate Rusby |