Shilling/ Dollar or Two, A (TIMELINE)

This page is an attempt to collate information on a series related songs usually called either A Shillling or Two or A Dollar or Two – from the earliest known versions, to the point when A Shillin or Twa was recorded by Willie Kemp in the 1930s. The timeline is as complete as I could make it, given the information available in May 2020. It may be possible to add to it when broadsides are once more available online from the British Library and Bodleian.

A Shillin’ or Twa. [no Roud number, Anon, 1840]

The earliest instance that I can find of a song or poem called either A dollar or two or A shilling or two was printed in a Fife (Scotland) newspaper in 1840. (Fife Herald – 21 May 1840) This song does not appear to have entered directly into traditional singers’ repertoires, though its themes and refraiBallad Index I and Ballad Index IIn may have influenced later versions.

A SHILLIN' OR TWA. [Anon, 1840]

Knowledge is not power—nor wisdom a defence. 

I'm a bard, I may tell you before I begin, 
My hope and delight is green laurels to win—
A sang is my glory - I gie na a flaw 
For guineas o' gowd or a shillin' or twa! 

It's a [magnificent?] thing a bit shillin' or twa
A much socht-for thing a bit shillin' or twa. 

Yet candour micht e'en mak a sangster to own, 
Ere the muse on the pinions o' fancy lias flown, 
That feedin' and cleedin' but poortithly shaw
For want o' the sleek o' a shillin' or twa. 

"Whar is wisdom?" a sage o' antiquity speer'd,
"That amon' a' our schemes she's sae seldom appeared." 
I'll shortly the dotard sae glamour-gleg shaw —
Why glowr ye, ye gowks! — She's a shillin or twa! 

What is legs to the cripple and e'en to the blind? 
To rog'ry a merit? to dullness a mind?
Gif aucht upon earth can sic wonders bestaw, 
I'll warran' ye'll find it's - a shillin' or twa.

Keen Justice is blinded, an' falsehood is truth. 
An' sour girnin'age is a cherry-cheek'd youth, 
Black crime grows as white as the new-driven snaw
When varnish'd and gloss'd wi' a shillin' or twa. 

I dream'd the last nicht that auld Sautan was shure 
To hae room for the rich, but hae nane to the puir; 
Haith, quo I, he's just like the lairds o' the ha', 
Ye'll win ben gif ye hae but a shillin' or twa. 

Ye great hae plenty o' pelf an' o' gear,
Come! "grind down our faces" and haud us in fear, 
For tho' democrats tak up their chanters to blaw, 
They're pithless while pith is a shillin' or twa.

Come! squeeze us and tease us and drain still our bluid. 
Let Ambition drive over our thrapples rough-shod, 
And hang up the torture to keep us in awe, 
Ye're safe aye while safety's a shillin' or twa.

But the starnies that blink in the lift as they roll. 
Will bring a tide that ye canna control. 
And then ye shall find, baith in cottage and ha', 
That Justice will knuckle the shillin' or twa.

A Dollar or Two (RN2177, anon, 1855a)

A Dollar or Two is an American song which seems to provide a point of origin for the well known “cornister” or Bothy Ballad “A Shillin’ or Twa”. It is first found in the USA in January 1855 but rapidly spreads across the English speaking world. Accreditation varies and I suspect the musicians, where named were resposible for particular arrangements, rather than original melodies. The following instances were all published in 1855/56 and are almost identical lyrically to the version published as a poem in the American Agriculturist (3 Jan 1855, New York),:

A Dollar or Two
As published anonymously in American Agriculturist (3 Jan 1855, New York):

With cautious step, as we tread our way thro'
This intricate world as other folks do,
May we still on our journey be able to view,
The benevolent face of a dollar or two.

For an excellent thing 
Is a dollar or two,
No friend is so true 
As a dollar or two
Through country or town
As we pass up and down
No prospect so good
As a dollar or two

Would you read yourself out the bachelor crew 
And the hand of a pretty young female sue, 
You must always be ready the handsome to do, 
Although it will cost you a dollar or two.

Love’s arrows are tipped 
With a dollar or two,
And affections are gained 
With a dollar or two;
The best aid you can meet 
In advancing your suit,
Is the eloquent chink 
Of a dollar or two !

Would wish your existence with faith to imbue, 
And enroll in the ranks of the sanctified few ; 
To enjoy a good name; a well-cushioned pew. 
You must freely down with a dollar or two.

The gospel is preached 
For a dollar or two;
And salvation is reached 
By a dollar or two ;
You may sin sometimes,
But the worst of all crimes 
Is, to find yourself short 
Of a dollar or two.

A Dollar or Two (RN2177, anon, 1855b)

The second American variant was also called A Dollar or Two but was sometimes given the alternate title Be Sure and Take Care of Your Money ( I have labelled it 1855b). The alternate title is the first line of a new chorus, which is the only major difference between the two versions, though the sheet music has the new chorus notated in four-part harmony.

The following instances of the second American variant (1855b) were published 1855 – 69:

  • Advertised in American newspapers as Be Sure and Take Care of Your Money: earliest instance Buffalo Courier Express Jan 14, 1856
  • Extracts from the lyrics of Be Sure and Take Care of Your Money were widely reprinted in US papers, earliest in the Buffalo Courier Express, Nov 07, 1857 
  • A printed songsheet using the title A dollar or two was published by Henry de Marsan (New York, undated) [see Archive.org.] . The song sheet includes the following text: “Sung nightly, with tremendous applause, by Mrs W. JONES in the drama of “Fast Women” at The New Bowery Theatre. The music to be had of D. H. Biessenher. Presented for publication by Bennett & Carroll.”
    This information, taken alongside newspaper reports, suggests that it was sung by Mrs Jones at the New Bowery Theatre (New York) in 1859 -60. See for example New York Herald, Nov 15, 1859
  • The words were also published under the title A dollar or two by Henry de Marsan in The New Singers Journal No 38 p266.(New York, c1869).
  • Sheet music for the second American variant was published as A dollar or two by J Ballhouse (St Louis, 1855). Music and/or arrangement credited to Melville. Descibed as “A Favourite Melody of The Campbell Minstrels”see  Levy Collection.
  • It was published in several 19th century American song collections, including: Musical Boquet, Vocalist’s Magazine and Reciter’s Companion (New York, 1861), Bryant’s Songs from Dixie’s Land (New York, 1861)

In addition to being incorporated into the show “Fast Women” at The New Bowery Theatre, second American variant (1855b) was performed by The Campbell Minstrels, a black-face minstrel troupe active in America and the UK in the 1850s and 60s. Their version of was likely to have been heard in Scotland , as the Campbell Minstrels toured the UK in 1859 and 60 with relatively large troupe of up t0 15 members. They appeared in many concert halls and music halls in Scotland, inluding halls in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Greenock, Aberdeen, Alloa and Montrose.

Buffalo Post Jan 15, 1856

It is possible that one or both these American songs may have influenced or inspired the Music Hall song performed by Victor Liston A Shilling or Two (Music Hall version, 1869) , though his version does not seem particularly Scottish

A Dollar or Two (1855b)

[starts with chorus]

Be sure and take care of your money, my boys, 
Be sure and take care of your money; 
For you'll find that your friends will be distant and few, 
If you ever run short of a dollar or two.

With cautious step, as we tread on our way through 
This intricate world, just as other folks do, 
May we still on our journey, be able to view 
The benevolent face of a dollar or two: 
For an excellent thing is a dollar or two; 
No friend sticks so close as a dollar or two; 
Through country or town as you pass up or down, 
No pass-port so good as a dollar or two. 
A dollar or two, a dollar or two! 
It has a magical power to help a man through; 
For the Pagan and Christian, the Gentile and jew- 
In reverence all bow to a dollar or two. 

Chorus

Would you rid yourself out of the batchelors crew, 
And the hand of a beautiful lady pursue? 
You must always be ready the han some to do, 
Altho' it may cost you a dollar or two; 
Lov’s arrows are tipt with a dollar or two,
And its nectar is sipped for a dollar or two. 
The best aid you can get in pleasing your pet, 
Is the eloquent chink of a dollar or two. 
A dollar or two, a dollar or two
There is nothing so useful to help a man thro', 
In sorrow or joys, with the girls or the boys ; 
We acknowledge no good but a dollar or two. 

Chorus

Would you wish your existence with faith to imbue,
And enroll in the ranks of a satisfied few, -
To enjoy a good name and a cushion’d pew? 
You must freely come down with a dollar or two;
For, the gospel is cheap for a dollar or two, 
And salvation is reached for a dollar or two.
You may trespass some times, but worst of all crimes 
Is to find yourself short of a dollar or two,
A dollar or two, a dollar or two! 
It is for that now I am singing to you;
And when to your city I bid an Adieu, 
I am in hopes to be blesséd with a dollar or two.

A Shilling or Two (no RN, Lynn & Fitchett, 1869)

British Music Hall version: sheet music published by Ashdown and Parry, London (personal collection, 1869). Words by Harry Lynn. Music by HW Fitchett. “Sung by Victor Liston with the greatest success”, see Shilling or Two, A (Music Hall version, 1869). This song does not appear to have entered directly into traditional singers’ repertoires.

A SHILLING OR TWO  

This is trash I'm writing 
And yet still it is true 
That each mortal is fighting 
For a shilling or two 
And pray what crime is so great 
That is known unto you 
As this - to be rather short
Of a shilling or two 

A shilling or two, a shilling or two,
Tis fearful to want a shilling or two,
This wicked world you can never get thro'
Lest you're possessed of a shilling or two.

Now if your friends would try 
There's but 1 thing to do 
Just ask them to lend you 
But a shilling or two 
And you will find your sworn friends
Turn their backs upon you 
For it is dreadful to want 
Just a shilling or two.

A shilling or two, a shilling or two, 
Friends can be bought for a shilling or two,
Yes, yes it is true you'll find it is true, 
Friends can be sold for a shilling or two.

Now pray to girls wed for love, 
Well perhaps some of them do
But they more often do wed
Just a shilling or two.
Mind most men are the same, 
But their folly they rue;
Because real joy is not bought, 
For a a shilling or two.

A shilling or two, a shilling or two,
It oft proves a curse, a shilling or two.
Young maidens are bought and young men sold too
And all for what, just a shilling or two

Perhaps you may think it's strange 
Yet still it is true
But I'm singing these few lines
For a shilling or two
And I've not been back biting 
But search the whole wide world through
And all men you'll see fighting
For a shilling or two

A shilling or two, a shilling or two
Wonderful charms has a shilling or two
It buys things on Earth that's all it can do 
But heaven's not bought for a shilling or two

A Shillin’ or Twa (No Roud number, AH Wingfield, 1873)

From Poems and Songs, in Scotch and English (1873) by Canadian-Scotch poet Alexander Hamilton Wingfield. Archive.org This song does not appear to have entered directly into traditional singers’ repertoires.

A Shillin' or Twa

FRIEN'SHIP has charms for the leal an' the true,
There's but few things can beat it the hale warld thro',
But you'll gey aften find that the best frien' ava
Is that white-headed callan' a shillin' or twa.
Eh, man, it's a fine thing, a shillin' or twa;
Hech, man, it's a gran' thing, a shillin' or twa.
It keeps up your spirits, it adds to your merits,
If ye but inherit a shillin' or twa.

It's surprisin' how much you'll be thocht o' by men,
You'll get credit for wisdom altho' ye hae nane;
You may be but a dunce yet be honor'd by a
When they ken that ye hae a bit shillin' or twa.
Eh, man, it's a fine thing, a shillin' or twa;
Hech, man, it's a gran' thing, a shillin or twa.
You'll ne'er ken what it means to want plenty o' frien's,
Gin ye glamor their een wi' a shillin' or twa.

But it alters the case when your siller's a' dune,
Then your frien's seem to gang a' awa wi' the win',
There's naebody then likes to ken you ava
When ye ask for the lend o' a shillin' or twa.
Eh, man, it's a fine thing, a shillin' or twa;
Hech, man, it's a gran' thing, a shillin' or twa.
But there's no mony then that will haud out their han'
And say, tak' this, my man, there's a shillin' or twa.

A tocherless lass, tho' o' guid pedigree,
May ne'er hae a lover her mou' for to pree,
But let her get riches and sweethearts will fa'
Around her in dizens fór her shillin' or twa.
Eh, man, it's a fine thing, a shillin' or twa;
Hech, man, it's a gran' thing, a shillin' or twa.
But it adds a new grace to each charm in her face
Gin her purse in it's place hauds a shillin' or twa.

Politicians will tell you that the country they "save,"
And wi' eloquence burning, they rant and they rave,
But at the year's end, when their salary they draw,
'They aye save themsel's a bit shillin' or twa.
Eh, man, it's a fine thing, a shillin' or twa;
Hech, man, it's a gran' thing, a shillin' or twa.
'They whiles do their best when they're put to the test,
But they feather their nest wi' a shillin' or twa.

Some folks fecht for siller year out and year in,
There are ithers that cheat for't, and ne'er think't a sin,
And there's some sae devoid o' morality's law,
Wud shake han's wi' the de'il for a shillin' or twa.
Eh, man, it's a fine thing, a shillin' or twa;
Hech, man, it's a gran' thing, a shillin' or twa:
To become rich and great, and hae flunkeys to wait
When you drive out in state, aff your shillin' or twa.

But we scorn the fause loon, that for vain warldly pelf,
Wud wrang ither folk to get riches himself;
"Aye live and let live," and deal justly by a',
And may you ne'er want for a shillin' or twa.
Eh, man, it's a fine thing, a shillin' or twa;
Hech, man, it's a gran' thing, a shillin' or twa.
When you've wealth in your store, aye remember the poor,
And blessin's will shower on your shillin' or twa.

A Shilling or Twa (RN2177, anon, 1877)

Song Sheet printed by Poet’s Box, 80 London St, Glasgow (28 Apr 1877). Vaughn Williams Memorial Library.

This seems to be the earliest instance one of the Scottish variants of A Dollar or Tw0, usually titled A shillin or Twa or similar. The Scottish folk song scholar John Ord, identified two versions of the song. This is the earliest instance of Ord’s First Version – see timeline entries 10 and 11 below.

A Shilling or Twa

While cautious and canny we slip ourselves through 
This wearisome world just as other folks do,
May we aye frae our pockets be ready to draw, 
Coming clink frae our pockets a shilling or two.

Oh! what a grand thing is at shilling or twa,
Eh! what a grand thing is a shilling or twa;
Through country or town while we trudge up and down,
It's a round ready passport, a shilling or twa.

If the lads wi' young lasses in favour would be, 
They maun aye ha'e some present ready to gi'e ; 
Such as raisins or sweeties or something that's braw.
Although it should cost them a shilling or twa.

Oh! what a fine thing is a shilling or twa,
Eh! what a grand thing is a shilling or twa, 
The lads frae their lasses get cuddles and kisses, 
And oh! how sweet this is for a shilling or twa.

Oh, a penniless pocket's a pitiful case,
For it soon gars an old friend put on it new face; 
But sour looks and strange faces will a' wear awa', 
If we can but show them a shilling it twa.

Oh! what a fine thing is a shilling or twa
Eh! what a grand thing is a a shilling or twa, 
Friendship in need is friendship indeed,
But the best friend ava is a shilling or twa
 
When the big man o' business by fortune unblest, 
Is forced as a bankrupt to appear in the list,
He can clear aff his debts an get rid of the law, 
By paying each pound wi' a shilling or twa.

Oh! what a fine thing is a shilling or twa
Eh! what a grand thing is a a shilling or twa,
Great sums can be paid and fortunes re-made,
By sleight of hand trade by a shilling or twa,

But a poor man in debt is harassed every day,
He is lawed and decreed wi' expenses to pay;
His wages arrested, his gear ta'en awa' -
Nae credit, nae comfort, nae shilling ar twa.

Oh! what a fine thing is a shilling or twa
Eh! what a grand thing is a a shilling or twa,
May the poor of our land ne'er want in their hand,
The ready command of a shilling or twa.

Now the great muse of debt and auld Seotland's scaith too, 
Is the devil's ain dram, whiskey's blazes of blue,
For baith men and and women sneer at teetotal law,
And spend in blue ruin a shilling or twa.

Oh! what a fine thing is a shilling or twa
Eh! what a grand thing is a a shilling or twa,
This nane can gainsay when spent the right way, 
But woe when we stray wi' a shilling or twa

A Dollar or Two (Smith& Riddle, 1885)

Words by Albert Riddle, Music by HT Smith. First in the series Hubbard T Smith’s Beautiful songs. Published by John F Elliss, Washington DC, 1885 Library Of Congress. This song does not appear to have entered into traditional singers’ repertoires.

Hubbard T. Smith (1854 –1903) was born in Vincennes, Indiana, later at age 22 moving to Wasghinton to take up a job in government service. He maintained a parallel career as a singer, songwriter, and pianist, writing severeal hundred songs.( Indiana Musicmakers)

A Dollar or Two
I think you will find that a journey thro' life will cost you a dollar or two;
A man is worn down by worry and strife to capture a dollar or two.
Wisdom they say is better than gold, far greater than ev'ry thing else I am told
But greater than wisdom is a very tight hold on the snug little sum of a dollar or two.

When I became tired of a bachelor's life, it cost me a dollar or two, And tho' dear to me, my sweet little wife, she cost me a dollar or two;
Money is well if you wish to be bound, (Loves arrows "golden tipped are more catching i've found)
And affection is gained by that eloquent sound, the magnetic clink, clink of a dollar or two. 
You'll never get left with a dollar or two, of friends be bereft with a dollar or two
They will stick to you tight and keep you in sight 
No magnet so great as a dollar or two.

With one or two friends 'round the table I sat, it cost me a dollar or two; 
A friend drew one card, I thought I'd stand pat, make it cost him a dollar or two. 
To catch all his wealth I'd made up my mind, but finally I called and what did I find? 
Why I'd steered a "king-full" a into "four of a kind" and it cost me much more than a dollar or two
That's when I got left with a dollar or two
By friends was bereft of a dollar or two
Tho' Hoyle says I was right, it cost me a sight 
Yes really much more than a dollar or two

A Shillin’ or Twa ( RN2178, William Fleming, 1888)

This version from the collection: The Paisley Poets (1889) [archive.org.] The earliest printing appears to have been in The Peoples Friend (Dundee,15 Aug 1888). The Scottish folk song scholar John Ord, identified two versions of this song. This appears to be the earliest instance of Ord’s Second Version – see timeline entries 10 and 11 below.

A Shillin' or Twa

Awa' wi' your dearies an' juice o' the vine, 
I sing na the praises o' women an' wine ;
Some vain rhyming bardies wha coo like the dove,
An' dream o' the wild, witching glamour o' love
Frae sly glancin' een inspiration may draw, 
But gie me the glint o' a shillin' or twa 

Shillin' or twa, shillin' or twa, 
A bonnie bright siller-white shillin' or twa.

I carena' for honour, I carena for fame, 
An' naething to me is the boast o' a name ; 
Let proud gifted statesmen an heroes o' war 
Rejoice in their ribbon, their clasp, or their star ; 
But the bonniest medals that ever I saw 
Could ne'er be compared to a shillin' or twa

Amid a' the trouble, vexation, an' strife. 
We meet in this warl' as we journey through life — 
The crosses an' cares, by whatever decree, 
That somehoo or ither we a' ha'e to dree — 
'Tis pleasin' to ken ye're at naebody's ca', 
An' on unco guid terms wi' a shillin' or twa — 

When fortune is smilin' an' blessin's flow free, 
Fu' mony blithe freen's round your board ye will see ; 
But thankless as grumphies, they'll bid you guid-day 
If ever you happen to slip doon the brae. 
When cauld bitter blasts o' adversity blaw, 
There's nae frien' on earth like a shillin' or twa' 

Amid a' the trouble, vexation, an' strife. 
We meet in this warl' as we journey through life — 
The crosses an' cares, by whatever decree, 
That somehoo or ither we a' ha'e to dree — 
'Tis pleasin' to ken ye're at naebody's ca', 
An' on unco guid terms wi' a shillin' or twa —

A shilling or twa (Ord’s 1st Version) (RN 2177, anon, 1930)

First version of two in Ord’s Bothy Songs and Ballads (1930) also found without the final stanza in Kerr’s Cornkisters (Bothy Ballads)(1930) : lyricist unknown, melody by Willie Kemp.

A SHILLING OR TWA  (Ord's 1st Version) 

While cautious and canny we slip ourselves through 
This wearisome world just as other folks do,
May we aye frae our pockets be ready to draw, 
Coming clink clink frae our pockets shilling or two.
Oh! what a grand thing is at shilling or twa,
Eh! what a grand thing is a shilling or twa;
Through country or town while we trudge up and down,
It's a roun' ready passport, a shilling or twa.

If the lads wi' young lasses in favour would be, 
They maun aye ha'e some present ready to gi'e ; 
Such as raisins or sweeties or something that's braw.
Although it should cost them a shilling or twa.
Oh! what a fine thing is a shilling or twa,
Eh! what a grand thing is a shilling or twa, 
The lads frae their lasses get cuddles and kisses, 
And oh! how sweet this is for a shilling or twa.

Oh, a penniless pocket's a pitiful case,
For it seen gars an old friend put on it a new face; 
Sour looks and strange faces will a' wear awa', 
If we can but show them a shilling it twa.
Oh! what a fine thing is a shilling or twa
Eh! what a grand thing is a a shilling or twa, 
Friendship in need is friendship indeed,
But the best friend ava is a shilling or twa.

When the big man o' business by fortune unblest, 
Is forced as a bankrupt to appear in the list,
He can clear aff his debts an get rid of the law, 
By paying each pound wi' a shilling or twa.
Oh! what a grand thing is a shilling or twa
Eh! what a grand thing is a a shilling or twa,
Great sums can be paid and fortunes re-made,
By sleight of hand trade by a shilling or twa,

But a poor man in debt is harassed every day,
He is lawed and decreed wi' expenses to pay;
His wages arrested, his gear ta'en awa' -
Nae credit, nae comfort, nae shilling or twa.
Oh! what a fine thing is a shilling or twa
Eh! what a grand thing is a a shilling or twa,
May the poor of our land ne'er want in their hand,
The ready command of a shilling or twa.

Now the great muse of debt and auld Seotland's scaith too, 
Is the devil's ain dram, whiskey's blazes of blue,
For baith men and and women sneer at teetotal law,
And spend in blue ruin a shilling or twa.
Oh! what a fine thing is a shilling or twa
Eh! what a grand thing is a a shilling or twa,
This nane can gainsay when spent the right way, 
But woe when we stray wi' a shilling or twa

A shilling or Twa (Ord’s 2nd version)(RN2178, William Fleming, 1930)

Second version of two in Ord’s Bothy Songs and Ballads (1930) , identical in most respects to William Fleming’s 1888 version. Ord describes it as a more modern version which I culled from a newspaper about 35 years ago [c 1895]. The author was given as one William Fleming. This version has its own page here.

A Sillin or Twa  (Ord's 2nd Version) 

Awa' wi' your dearies an' juice o' the vine, 
I sing nae the praises o' women or wine ;
Some vain rhyming bardies wha oo like the dove,
An' dream o' the wild, witching glamour o' love
Frae sly glancin' een inspiration may draw, 
But gie me the glint o' a shillin' or twa 
Shillin' or twa, shillin' or twa, 
A bonnie bright siller-white shillin' or twa.

I carena' for honour, I carena for fame, 
An' naething to me is the boast o' a name ; 
Let proud gifted statesmen an heroes o' war 
Rejoice in their ribbon, their clasp, or their star ; 
But the bonniest medals that ever I saw 
Could ne'er be compared to a shillin' or twa!
Shillin' or twa, shillin' or twa, 
A bonnie bright siller-white shillin' or twa.

Amid a' the trouble, vexation, an' strife. 
We meet in this warl' as we journey through life — 
The crosses an' cares, by whatever decree, 
That somehoo or ither we a' hae to dree,
'Tis pleasin' to ken ye're at naebody's ca', 
An' on unco guid terms wi' a shillin' or twa — 
Shillin' or twa, shillin' or twa, 
A bonnie bright siller-white shillin' or twa.

When fortune is smilin' an' blessin's flow free, 
Fu' mony blithe freen's roon your board ye will see ; 
But thankless as grumphies, they'll bid you guid-day 
If ever you happen to slip doon the brae. 
When cauld bitter blasts o' adversity blaw, 
There's nae frien' on earth like a shillin' or twa' 
Shillin' or twa, shillin' or twa, 
A bonnie bright siller-white shillin' or twa.