Tony Rose - The Parson And The Clerk lyrics

Oh, a parson prayed to his flock one day, on the sins of the human race. And the clerk, "Amen," aloud did say, with the solemnest tone and face. And this pious clerk, in the quiet though, did venture a bit of remark. "All sin is sweet," said the parson. "Then sin is for me," said the clerk. Amen "Oh sin is for me," said the clerk. "And never covet thy neighbour's goods," this parson he said, "nor his maid. Don't rob a man of that what's his, wherefore thou should be afraid. And do covet ye not, thou man of sin, I venture this matter to mark, Thy neighbour's wife," said the parson. "This lady for me," said the clerk. Amen "Oh this lady for me," said the clerk. "And never sigh for that dross called gold, for blessed's a man that is poor, Nor cast ye the loaves nor the fishes from the poor. For, I grieve to say, it is my fate to drive a carriage-and-pair in the park, With a thousand a year," said the parson. "Oh give it to me," said the clerk. Amen "There's no pride about me," said the clerk. My Christian friends and brethren, you should ever be humble and meek, And never strike a sinful man, though he strike you one on the cheek. But turn, my friends, to the erring one, yes, turn to the sinner so dark Thy other cheek," said the parson. "I'd break his nose," said the clerk. Amen "Just land him at once," said the clerk. "Oh the boys are awfully tribulous," the parson he says with a groan. "And the boys too oft at Sunday school won't let the young hussies alone. And I've watched the boys behind their books, I've seen the boys their larks. They're kissing the girls," said the parson. "I've done it myself," said the clerk. Amen "And they're fond of it too," said the clerk. Oh now, my sermon, friends, is done, and I bid you go watch and pray. And don't do as your parson does, but do as your parson say. And ere I depart all worldly care, I venture this matter to mark. "Never drink", said the parson. "I'm awfully dry," said the clerk. Amen "And I'm off for a wet," said the clerk. Amen