Rigs Of The Time
(Traditional)
Performer(s): Maddy Prior
and multiple other artists



O, 'tis of an old butcher, I must bring him in
He charge two shillings a pound, and thinks it no sin
Slaps his thumb on the scale-weights and makes them go down
He swears it's good weight yet it wants half a pound 
Singing...

Honesty's all out of fashion
These are the rigs of the time
Time, my boys
These are the rigs of the time

Now the next is a baker, I must bring him in
He charge fourpence a loaf and thinks it no sin
When he do bring it in, is not bigger than your fist
And the top of the loaf is popped off with the ye'st 
Singing...

Honesty's all out of fashion
These are the rigs of the time
Time, my boys
These are the rigs of the time

No wonder the butter be a shilling a pound
See the little farmer's daughters, how they ride up and down
If you ask them the reason, they'll say: "Bone', alas
There's a French war and the cows have no grass 
Singing...

Honesty's all out of fashion
These are the rigs of the time
Time, my boys
These are the rigs of the time

O the next is a publican, I must bring him in
He charge fourpence a quart, he thinks it no sin
When he do bring it in, the measure is short
The top of the pot is popped off with the froth 
Singing...

Honesty's all out of fashion
These are the rigs of the time
Time, my boys
These are the rigs of the time

Here's next to the tailor who skimps with our clothes
And next the shoemaker who pinches our toes
We've nought in our bellies, our bodies are bare
No wonder we've reason to curse and to swear 
Singing...

Honesty's all out of fashion
These are the rigs of the time
Time, my boys
These are the rigs of the time

Now the very best plan that I can find
Is to pop them all off in a high gale of wynd
And when they get up, the cloud it will bu'st
And the biggest old rascal come tumbling down first 
Singing...

Honesty's all out of fashion
These are the rigs of the time
Time, my boys
These are the rigs of the time