“De'il Stick the Minister”

Description

"Our wife she keeps baith beef and yell And tea to treat the Minister... While I the water-stand maun try, May the De'il stick the Minister." The minister can explain the Covenant and curse Papists, but he's otherwise grasping and useless

Supplemental text

De'il Stick the Minister
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

From Stokoe/Reay, Songs and Ballads of Northern England, pp. 116-117.

Our wife she keeps baith beef and yell,
  And tea to treat the Minister;
There's nowt for me but sup the kale,
  The beef's for the Minister.
Besides, a bottle keeps in by
To warm his breast, when he's no dry,
While I the water-stand maun try,
  May the Deil stick the Minister.

(6 additional stanzas)

Notes

Although reported seemingly only in Northumberland, the references to the Covenant seem to imply Scottish origin. As, for that matter, does the clear anti-clericalism. (Though we might note that the Covenanting army long was engaged around Newcastle and other parts of Northumberland.) I'm amazed it doesn't quote the passages in Matthew and James which condemn the clergy. Apparently The Minister didn't preach those passages to the congregation. - RBW

References

1. Stokoe/Reay, pp. 116-117, "De'il Stick the Minister" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. ST StoR116 (Partial)
3. Roud #3153
4. BI, StoR116