The lawman swore he'd get you,
but the Lord came callin' first.
Villon's Straight Tip to All Cross Coves
Translation by William Ernest Henley
"Tout aux tavernes et aux filles."
Suppose you screeve? or go cheap-jack?
Or fake the broads? or fig a nag?
Or thimble-rig? or knap a yack?
Or pitch a snide? or smash a rag?
Suppose you duff? or nose and lag?
Or get the straight, and land your pot?
How do you melt the multy swag?
Booze and the blowens cop the lot.
Fiddle, or fence, or mace, or mack;
Or moskeneer, or flash the drag;
Dead-lurk a crib, or do a crack;
Pad with a slang, or chuck a fag;
Bonnet, or tout, or mump and gag;
Rattle the tats, or mark the spot;
You cannot bank a single stag;
Booze and the blowens cop the lot.
Suppose you try a different tack,
And on the square you flash your flag?
At penny-a-lining make your whack,
Or with the mummers mug and gag?
For nix, for nix the dibbs you bag!
At any graft, no matter what,
Your merry goblins soon stravag:
Booze and the blowens cop the lot.
THE MORAL
It's up the spout and Charley Wag
With wipes and tickers and what not.
Until the squeezer nips your scrag,
Booze and the blowens cop the lot.
__________________________________
(Link to Popcorn Sutton's book)
Update to post - August 2009
From Sucker Punch Pictures, http://www.suckerpunchpictures.com/ , producers of the documentary featuring Popcorn's final run:
"Prior to his death Popcorn had arranged for the release of his new book to help support his wife Pam
The 2009 version of Me & My Likker is 248 pages,
professionally printed with color photos and
includes all of the original book plus much more.
To order the book send $58. to:
Pam Sutton
PO Box 38
Parrottsville, TN
37843
..."
