Benjamin Bowmaneer

Do you know how the wars began, Benjamin Bowmaneer?
Do you know how the wars began, Castors away?
Do you know how the wars began, when England fought to a man,
And the proud tailor rode prancing away?

Of his shear board he made a horse, Benjamin Bowmaneer
Of his shear board he made a horse, castors away
Of his shear board he made a horse, All for him to ride across.
And the proud tailor rode prancing away

Of his scissors he made bridle bits, Benjamin Bowmaneer
Of his scissors he made bridle bits, castors away
Of his scissors he made bridle bits, to keep his horse all in his wits
And the proud tailor rode prancing away

And as he rode o'er the lea, Benjamin Bowmaneer
And as he rode o'er the lea, castors away
And as he rode o'er the lea, he spied a flea all on his knee
And the proud tailor rode prancing away

Of his needle he made a spear, Benjamin Bowmaneer
Of his needle he made a spear, castors away
Of his needle he made a spear, and pierced the flea all in his ear
And the proud tailor rode prancing away

Of his thimble he made a bell, Benjamin Bowmaneer
Of his thimble he made a bell, castors away
Of his thimble he made a bell, and tolled the flea's funeral knell
And the proud tailor rode prancing away

And that's how the wars began, Benjamin Bowmaneer
And that's how the wars began, castors away
And that's how the wars began, when England fought to a man
And the proud tailor rode prancing away

from the New Golden Ring, Five Days Singing, Vol. I FSI-42
Joe Hickerson got from the Penguin book of English Folk Songs
DC