The Devil`s Punchbowl

English folk tales are full of deception, murder ( often grisly)and the supernatural...with pub time thrown in. This story has those things,( mostly true - there was a murder of a sailor at the Devil`s Punchbowl in Hindhead England in 1786), plus the otherwordly guitar of ScottC.

Style is _MERRILY.STY (Merrily Acoustic Accordion Pop)

RealTracks in style: ~683:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 1850:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopShiningGrittyMuted Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 618:Fiddle, Background Allis Ev120
RealDrums in Song: PopAmericanEv^1-a:SS 1/2 BB, b:Snare Half BB




The Devil`s Punchbowl

Sam Wellers walked out from Portsmouth
with a seamans purse a terrible thirst
and the last words of his father
of all fools you`re the first

that very same day in daisies gay
three sailors make a pact where they sit
to seize the throat of fortune
looking over an ancient pit

cunning greed and malice they throw
in the devil`s the devil`s punchbowl

at the Rose and Crown with eyes cast down
these three watch Sam walk in
hail well met take your rest
with fellow sailors share a drink

I`ll have just one for ere the sun
sinks below the fateful rim
I journey past dark waters
they say hide all manner of sin

and blood enough to drown your soul
in the devil`s the devil`s punchbowl

hark the screech owl cry says one
the second swears the legend`s true
the third slips laudanum in Sam`s rum
and the devil delights in the brew

such a generous lad to pay the tab
Sam staggers to Hindhead Tor
where the blows of these three sailors
cover the grass with gore

no fitter liquor no blacker hole
than the devil`s the devils punchbowl

desperate fun at the Rising Sun
a seaman`s suit offered for bid
accusing from the water
Sam`s body will not stay hid

three corpses sway irons creak
on Gibbett`s cloud capped hill
wearing sailor`s clothing
the devil laughs drinks his fill

come rogues come fools pay your toll
in the devil`s the devil`s punchbowl
the devil`s the devil`s punchbowl


© Robert Cordrey June 2018