Hydrophobie (song)

"Hydrophobie (or “The Skippers and the Quaker)"
Song
Language	English (Geordie)
Written	c 1825
Published	1825
Lyricist(s)	Robert Emery

Hydrophobie (or sometimes called “The Skipper and the Quaker") is a Geordie folk song written in the 19th century by Robert Emery, in a style deriving from music hall.

This song tells the tale of a Keelman who is bitten by a dog. The keelman and his crew frighten a Quaker passenger by pretending the dog bite has caused hydrophobia.

HYDROPHOBIE
also called “Skipper and the Quaker”
air “Air - The Cameronian's Rant," or "X,Y,Z", or “Good morrow to your night cap"

As Skipper Carr an' Markie Dunn
Was gannin', drunk, thro' Sandgate --
A dog bit Mark, an' off did run,
But sair the poor sowl fand it.
The Skipper, in a voice se rough --
Aw warn'd, says he, it's mad eneugh --
Howay and get some Doctor's stuff,
For fear of Hydrophobie !

Chorus
Fal de ral, &c.

Verse 2
The Doctor dress'd the wound se wide,
And left poor Markie smartin --
Then, for a joke, tells Carr, aside,
Mark wad gan mad, for sartin: --
Noo, Skipper, mind, when in yor keel,
Be sure that ye watch Markie weel,
If he begins to bark and squeel,
Depend It's Hydrophobie !

Chorus

Verse 3
For Shields next day they sail'd wi' coal,
And tyeuk on board a Quaker,
Who wish'd to go as far's Dent's Hole,
To see a friend call'd Baker.
The Skipper whisper'd in his ear,
Wor Markie will gan mad, aw fear!
He'll bite us a'--sure as yor here,
We'll get the Hydrophobie !

Chorus

Verse 4
Said Quack—I hope this can't be true,
Nay, friend, thou art mistaken;
We must not fear what man can do --
Yea! I will stand unshaken.
The Skipper, to complete the fun
Then told the Quaker what'd been done--
A dog'd bit Mark an'off did run
An' browt on Hydrophobie !

In the original version, these last four lines had been:-

The Skipper, to complete the farce
Said Maister Quaker what's far warse,
A b------g dog bit Markie's a--e,
And browt on Hydrophobie !

Chorus

Verse 5
Now Markie overheard their talk,
Thinks he—aw'll try the Quaker --
Makes P. D. to the huddock walk,
Of fun to be partaker :
To howl and bark he wasn't slack,
The Quaker ow'rboard in a crack,
With the fat Skipper on his back
For fear of Hydrophobie !

Chorus

Verse 6
Now P. D. laugh'd to see the two,
Who, to be sav'd, were striving --
Mark haul'd them out, wi' much ado,
And call'd them culls for diving : --
The Quaker seun was put on shore,
For he was frighten'd verry sore --
The Skipper promis'd never more
To mention Hydrophobie !

...
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