Bandoggs - Ladies, Don't Go Thieving lyrics

Oh don't we live all in curious times, You scarce would be believing, When Frenchmen fight, ay, and emperors die, And ladies go a-thieving. A beauty from the West End went, Around the shops then she lingers. And there upon some handkerchiefs She lights her pretty fingers. For thieving is a wicked trade As I to you will state now; If a poor man stole a penny loaf They'd send him off to Newgate. He'd get six months all in Newgate Gaol, In roguery he was dealing, But here's a lady all in a veil Who rambles out a-thieving. The draper peered all beneath the veil, He said, "What d'you mean now by this then?" And very soon she was in the hands Of one of them new policemen. Her husband when he heard the news Began to shout and to curse her; He swore he'd take his whip to her And make her fingers blister. For thieving is a wicked trade As I to you will state now; If a poor man stole a penny loaf They'd sent him off to Newgate. Oh don't we live all in curious times, You scarce would be believing, When Frenchmen fight, ay, and emperors die, And ladies go a-thieving.