| Brethren and sistren
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| We are gathered here
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| In this very room
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| While out there is a multitude
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| To do evil!
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| It is said that evil and Maljoes
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| Shall live after him
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| Well a man can’t walk in town
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| With them criminals going 'round
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| I say a man can’t walk in town
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| With them criminals going 'round
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| Yes they pick you pocket, they stab you in the back
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| If you try to make noise, the whole gang attack
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| They beat you soft and Boysie you with cough
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| Then the magistrate let them off
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| I ain’t meddling with nobody
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| Nobody should trouble me
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| I ain’t making joke with nobody
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| They ain’t bound to make joke with me
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| I ain’t arguing with you and I ain’t quarreling with you
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| I can’t fight on the whole
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| But if you lash me — may the Lord have mercy on your soul!
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| It’s a collection!
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| Ring the bell!
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| A silver collection, not coppers!
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| Not coppers!
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| I does 'fraid to walk the street
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| I don’t know which gang I go meet
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| They have no understanding
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| It’s money or your life they demanding
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| So you give them your money, you ain’t playing tough
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| Still they bust your face because the money never 'nough
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| Don’t mind what people say it’s happening everyday
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| You better start seeing things my way
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| I ain’t meddling with nobody
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| Nobody should meddle me
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| I ain’t making joke with nobody
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| They ain’t bound to make joke with me
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| I ain’t arguing with you and I ain’t quarreling with you
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| I can’t fight on the whole
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| But if you lash me — may the Lord have mercy on your soul!
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| Hallelujah!
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| Ring the bell!
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| A silver collection!
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| If you think I’m telling lie
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| Put on a jacket and a tie
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| Hold you brief case in you hand
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| Make people think you is a big big business man
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| Man, they lock you neck, you can’t make a note
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| And if you sneeze — whoops, they cut you throat
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| Yes, and if you drop one cold
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| It’s you the police want to hold
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| I ain’t meddling with nobody
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| Nobody should trouble me
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| I ain’t making joke with nobody
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| They ain’t bound to make joke with me
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| I ain’t arguing with you and I ain’t quarreling with you
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| I can’t fight on the whole
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| But if you lash me — may the Lord have mercy on your soul
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| Who preach the Gospel!
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| So it goes with Him, no wonder!
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| Now give me a silver collection!
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| Not coppers!
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| Yeah, mon!
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| You could talk all what you want
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| Talk don’t get me ignorant
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| You could tell me ah ugly
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| You could even say I resemble Melody
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| It’s a gross insult but I wouldn’t get mad
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| Although I know you really hit me hard
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| The only thing to make me bring out me Cannon
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| Is when you raise you hand
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| I ain’t meddling with nobody
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| Nobody should meddle me
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| I ain’t making joke with nobody
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| They ain’t bound to make joke with me
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| I ain’t arguing with you and I ain’t quarreling with you
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| I can’t fight on the whole
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| But if you touch me — may the Lord have mercy on your soul
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| Hallelujah!
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| Ring the bell!
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| Mother Superior!
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| Ring the bell!
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| Go back, go back, go back!
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| A silver collection!
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| OK, Sister Marjorie!
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| Ring the bell!
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| Make a silver collection! |