Lyrics (c) 2001 J. Eiler
TTTO: "Paddy Works On the Railway," Irish-American Trad.
PDF - Midi - Noteworthy Composer
Notes: While I don't know the Gentle's name, I've heard of an Atlantean member of the SCA who got his AofA at his first ever event. It seems that while everyone else who had volunteered for the task had hid out when privy-cleaning time came on Sunday morning, he stayed and helped. Though I don't know if he volunteered or was "drafted," such diligence needs to be rewarded in song. I've fiddled with the details, and set it to an old Irish-American tune from the late 1800's.
It's got to be difficult to be a Pelican. The Chivalry has the obvious distinction of being able to whip anybody in arms, and the Laurelate has A&S competitions, but most Pelicans only become Pelicans if somebody notices their work - and that can take a long time. (Maybe that's why Pelicans have such a reputation for grumpiness...). This little number could remind us all that it's the little - and often unnoticed - things that count.
When performing, it helps to have a sound effect during the "...hearing strange music." Maybe a whoopie-cushion, or a rude pre-teenager mocking bodily functions...?
[Slow] Way back in the year of A.S. 1, Me trews and tunic I put on. Me trews and tunic I put on, For cleanin' out the Privies, the Privies. (Nasty Things) I'm weary of the Privies, The Newbie cleans out the Privies. [Chorus] I was wearin' Trews and tunic, Hearin' strange music, While the stench was Makin' me sick! I was cleanin' out the Privies. [Fast] Way back in the year of A.S. 3, I was ticked off as I could be! Everybody hid behind a tree When I cleaned out the Privies. [Chorus] [Slow] In A.S. 8 I was near to tears. They made me a Lord after all those years. I took that Parchment - bought so dear - And used it to clean the Privies, the Privies. (I'd forgotten my cleaning supplies!) I'm weary of the Privies. The Lord cleans out the Privies. [Chorus] [Fast] By A.S. 12, why then I knew Exactly what I was going to do! I had a sword and a scrub-brush, too, For cleaning out the Privies. [Chorus] [Slow] It took until A.S. 25 For someone to notice that I was alive. They made me a Pelican, and all that jive, For cleanin' out the Privies, the Privies. (Any wonder why I'm grumpy?) I'm weary of the Privies. The Pelican cleans out the Privies. [Chorus] [Fast] For since the year of A.S. 1, I was a grouchy son-of-a-gun! It was plain to see I'd had no fun While cleaning out the Privies. [Chorus] [Slow] By the time it's A.S. 97, I'll think I'd died and gone to heaven. My proteges will number eleven, And they'll clean out the Privies, the Privies. (And I'll let 'em!) I'm thankful for my proteges. As they clean out the Privies. [Chorus 2] They'll be wearin' Trews and tunic, Hearin' strange music While the stench will Make them all sick And this is how the Pelican cleans the Privies!