Hard working snob, The

The hard working snob
Written by HJ Whymark, composed by Alfred Lee

My name's Jemmy Raynor and I'm a cordwainer
Or, speaking much plainer, by trade I'm a snob
And there's no bootmaker as is more awaker
Of that I will stake a half-a-crown to a Bob 
I stick to my tether in rough or smooth weather, 
And knocks boots together as quick as can be; 
At round toes or square toes
For plump or for spare toes, 
As fashion may wear toes, there's none to beat me.

With my balls of wax, lasting tacks, soles, heels and fronts and backs, Sixpence I charge for a four-penny job, 
With my rap away, slap away, rap tap tap away,
Pleasant's the life of a hard working snob.

When weather is melting, I'm into it pelting,
A stiching, or welting, or pegging away ;
Unless it's that one day that comes after Sunday,
Well-known as "Snob's Monday," when I make a day; 
I keep up the charter, but then the day arter,
I'm quickly a starter, once more at my work ;
And when I begin it, I sing like a linnet,
And not for one minute my stiching I shirk.

Old men who go hobbling oft bring me their cobbling, 
But set to a-squabbling when I make a charge;
It makes me feel outish, for they, being stoutish, 
Have for their feet goutish, boots as big as a barge;
Some folks have big bunions, like small Spanish onions,
Their feet are such funny uns, as ugly as sin; 
To them I'm a treasure, so well I them measure,
They wear them with pleasure, and part with their tin.
 
At boots called Oxonians, also Wellingtonians, 
And likewise Napoleons, like lightning I'm quick;
A dabster at dubbin', which briskly I rub in,
At what will bring grub in, I work like a brick.
Tho' there are snobs many, who're not worth a penny, 
Can't tell difference any 'twixt awl, last, and haft ,
I work like old bellows, I'm one of those fellows, 
Who never get jealous with those of my craft.


["Snob" was originally a dialect term for cobbler before it became associated with its modern meaning.]