{"id":27739,"date":"2025-07-10T07:08:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T07:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/?page_id=27739"},"modified":"2025-07-10T07:08:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T07:08:11","slug":"exchange-is-no-robbery","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/index.php\/exchange-is-no-robbery\/","title":{"rendered":"Exchange is no robbery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
AKA<\/strong><\/td>The Barber’s Shop
<\/td><\/tr>
First Published<\/td>1897<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writer\/composer<\/td>WH Wallis<\/td>Roud<\/strong><\/td>RN39817<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Music Hall Performers<\/strong><\/td>Mark Milton<\/td><\/tr>
Folk performances<\/strong><\/td>Collected from the singing of:<\/strong>
McPartland, Jim ; Ireland : Co. Leitrim : 1973<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
EXCHANGE IS NO ROBBERY
Written and composed by WH Wallace
Sung by Mark Milton.

T'other day I did drop into a barber's shop'
As I had badly wanted a shave;
I took off my hat, in the chair I sat,
My order I then gave .
Then in came a toff, took a silk hat off,
He wanted a shave, he said;
I walk'd out with a smile, in the toffs new tile,
And left mine there instead.

So I've got his hat, he's got mine<\/em> -
His was a new one, oh so fine;
Mine was an old one. the worse for wear 
Exchange is no robbery, so I don't care <\/em>
[twice]

Last night, I must state, I was out rather late, 
As I'd been to a harmonic club;
I smile when I think how I called for a drink, 
At the closing of the pub.
I called for a beer, and a joint just near,
Drinking wine with a mouth like a shark, 
Was quite put about, when the gas went out,
And we felt for our drinks in the dark.

I got his drink, he got mine\u2014
His was a lemonade and port wine ; <\/em>
When he got my beer didn't he swear! <\/em>
Exchange is no robbery, so I don't care.<\/em>
[twice]

Just lately in life, I've been wanting a wife, 
For a good time I've been on the search, 
Till me and a pal both got a gal,
And we named the day for church.
We were both in a funk, very near did a bunk,
On the way to the church to get fixed; 
But the parson was quick in doing the trick,
And somehow we got mixed.

I got his girl, he got mine \u2014
His was an angel, so divine;
Mine was a scorcher to curse and swear \u2014 <\/em>
Exchange is no robbery, so I don't care.<\/em>
<\/pre>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n
A song written for the performer Mark Milton,  a touring character comedian, vocalist and dancer active in the 1890s and early 20th century. It was written and composed by WH Wallis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was one of several songs collected in 1973 from the singing of Jim McPartland by  Irish collector Tom Munnelly.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n