A noble London lady she loved a tinkerman
But she couldn't get in his company but a little now and then.
And you know she would,
Rum to the diddle, rum a diddle work a day
A noble London lady she used her ink and pen,
She wrote a letter to the jolly tinkerman.
And you know she did,
Rum to the diddle, rum a diddle work a day
She wrote to him a letter, she sealed it with her hand,
Saying, "Oh how I love you now my jolly tinkerman."
And you know she did,
Rum to the diddle, rum a diddle work a day
She wrote to him another, she sent it with a friend,
Saying, "O my jolly tinker, my kettle needs a mend."
And you know she did,
Rum to the diddle, rum a diddle work a day
As he came running down the lane and at the door he knocked,
Saying, "Where's the rusty kettle with the hole I've got to block."
And you know he did,
Rum to the diddle, rum a diddle work a day
Lady come downstairs, opened up the door,
She spied the jolly tinker standing naked on the floor.
And you know he was,
Rum to the diddle, rum a diddle work a day
She led him through the kitchen, she led him through the hall,
And the servants said, "The devil, has he come to block us all."
And you know he had,
Rum to the diddle, rum a diddle work a day
She led him up the stair to show him what to do;
She fell on the featherbed and he fell on it too.
And you know he did,
Rum to the diddle, rum a diddle work a day
She picked up the frying pan and she began to knock
Just to let the servants know my boys she was hard at work.
And you know she was,
Rum to the diddle, rum a diddle work a day
Ran unto her pocket, she pulled out twenty pound,
"Take this my jolly tinker and we'll have another round."
And you know we will,
Rum to the diddle, rum a diddle work a day