Lyrics:

I am a brisk lad and my fortune is sad,
And if ever I get rich it's a wonder,
Spent all my money on the women and beer,
What riches I had are all squandered.
Field after field into market I sent,
Till the land were all gone and the money all spent,
My heart was so hard I could never repent,
And was that what brought me into Limbo.

Once I could run where the others did lie,
Strut like a crow in the gutter,
Girls would all cry as they saw me pass by,
There goes Master Fop in a flutter;
From the top to top-gallant I hoisted my sails,
I'd a fine French cravat, I'd a wig with three tails,
Now I am ready to gnaw my own nails,
And drink the cold water of Limbo.

I had an old Uncle, lived down in the West,
And he heard of my sad disaster,
Poor soul! After that he could never take rest,
His troubles grew faster and faster;
He came to the gaol and he saw my sad case,
Soon as I saw him I knew his old face,
I stood and gazed on him like one in amaze,
Wished I was miles out of Limbo.

Oh son, if I set you once more on your pegs,
And put you in credit and fashion,
Will you resolve, leave off your old ways,
And try for to govern your passion?
Oh Uncle, says I, if you will set me free,
I promise, I'll always be ruled by thee,
I'll labour my body for the good of my soul,
On the day I get outside of Limbo.

He took out his money, there were three thousand pounds,
And counted it out in bright guineas,
Soon as the money he'd laid down
I'd went round to see Molly and Jeannie;
In my old ragged clothes they knew nought of my gold,
They tossed me all out in the wet and the cold,
You'd a-laughed if you'd heard how those hussies did scold,
How they jawed me for lie if in Limbo
On the morning I stepped out of Limbo.