“The Gauger”
Description
"There was a captain of the fleet, A bonnie lassie he did entreat (x2) For to wed wi' him a sailor." She says her mother will not approve, and advises him to dress as a gauger. He fails to find any gin in the house, and says he will take the lass instead
Notes
It appears, in this case, that "gauger" is used in its sense of "revenue officer," though the secondary sense of one who is very aware of his own interests also fits. - RBW
References
- Ord, pp. 126-127, "The Gauger" (1 text)
- DT, NWCGAUG*
- Roud #2343
- BI, Ord126