The Battle of Manton, a Pageant, Scene M5
Inside Manton's Town Hall
MANTON sing accompanied by a jugband, DUNHAM and his MEN sing from without.
MANTON
When Sheriff Dunham came to town he was half in the bag
If in his breath you didn't drown, you'd surely want to gag.
DUNHAM
Come out with your hands up,
MANTON
said he,
DUNHAM
Sinner, you must repent.
MANTON
“If we keep this level, steady, a row we can prevent.”
Chorus:
And He shall wipe away all tears
He shall dwell
Us as well
Neither crying nor sorrow here
Write it true
All things new.
THREE
Let's drink to how we've defeated our trespassers today,
We have no mercy nor forgiveness offered to allay
And therefore let us soak ourselves 'til we've no more to say
And thus no one is wrong.
MANTON
I told him, “Why don't you stuff it?” I'll give in when I die.
His response was,
DUNHAM
I would love it!
MANTON
“Just my wish; I can't lie.
Surely there are none as brave, nothing more was ever dared
Fully from myself I gave , totally with nothing spared.
Chorus
TWO
O say can it be
how am I so tight
'Twere the gin or the ale
cause the lightness I'm feeling?
MANTON
When his fiends broke into Town Hall, they were all but crawling.
Mercy me, the evil stench that emerged from his drawling
Oh please, Mister, can there be ever civilities,
Sir, some things are even beyond refined abilities.
Chorus
ONE
Bring whiskey: I shall drink
Then bring me to the brink
And let me sink.