I'm The Black Sheep Of The Flock

I'M THE BLACK SHEEP OF THE FLOCK

The die is cast, the deed is done
I've kicked the cat and away I've run
I left my home, crawled up the flue
Looked in the glass and said, 'It's true'

I'm the Black Sheep of the flock, baa, baa.
Young men take warning from me
You couldn't take me home to tea
'Cos I'm such a villain you see
At twelve years of age our new servant I kissed
At thirteen of crime I'd a terrible list
And at fourteen I let a boy tattoo my wrist
So I'm the black sheep of the flock, baa, baa.

At home they see my vacant chair
But only one will really care
Yes, only one, that's brother John
Because I've got his trousers on.

I'm the black sheep of the flock, baa, baa
I've roughed since I've been away
I haven't had breakfast today
Me dinner's all burnt up they say
I've left my old home and I've sworn like MacBeth
I'll never return whilst my body holds breath
Yes, I'll hang out till tea-time if I starve to death
'Cos I'm the Black Sheep of the flock, baa, baa.

In a coiner's den I got a job
Make bad half-crowns, three for a bob
But what cared I, those coins were sham
That was the Mint, I was the lamb.

I'm the Black Sheep of the flock, baa, baa.
But one night, the coiner so bold
Just sat me down, on the mould
Before the half-crowns had got cold
Right through my trousers the boiling hot lead
Burnt an impression and I've heard it said
Instead of a tail I've got King George's head
'Cos I'm the Black Sheep of the flock, baa, baa.

With burglars once I cracked a crib
To bust the safe I lit a squid
I got the gold, for I'll remark
They couldn't see me in the dark.

'Cos I'm the Black Sheep of the flock, baa, baa.
But I haven't come here to brag
We went in a field with the swag
And, after I'd emptied the bag
I held out my hand for a share of the brass
And I didn't get it, alack and alas
No, all I got was a mouthful of grass
'Cos I'm the Black Sheep of the flock, baa, baa.

One Christmas Eve, it was to be
I met a girl, said she 'scuse me
I met a lamb, lost in the snow'
'Yes, frozen lamb,' said I, 'I know

'Cos I'm the Black Sheep of the flock, baa, baa.'
Said she, 'Oh my my ears's aching cruel
So, lets have a bit of your wool.'
I said to her, 'Don't be a fool'
Then just like a pussy, she started to purr
'I am the bad girl of the family, sir'
'Well, come round the corner,' I whispered to her
'Cos I'm the Black Sheep of the flock, baa, baa.

Outside the jail I've stood and cried
Because they won't let me inside
My pals in there look down on me
Because I've not done time, you see

I'm the Black Sheep of the flock, baa, baa.
But as they won't pinch me as well
Up in the top room where I dwell
I've made such a fine prison cell
I've chalked some broad arrows on my trousers too
And I've cried in my gruel till it's skilly, that's true
Then I walk round the yard by myself, two by two
Cos I'm the Black Sheep of the flock, baa, baa.

Written and composed by Fred J. Barnes & R.P. Weston - 1912

Performed by Jack Pleasants (1874-1924)

More Jack Pleasants