If you wake at midnight
and hear a horse's feet,
don't go pulling back the blind,
nor looking in the street.
Them that asks no questions
isn't told a lie.
Watch the wall, my darling,
while the Gentlemen go by.

Five and twenty ponies,
trotting through the dark,
with brandy for the Parson,
and 'baccy for the Clark,
laces for a Lady,
and letters for a Spy.
Watch the wall, my darling,
while the gentlemen go by.

Running 'round the woodlawn,
should you chance to find
little barrels roped and tarred,
all full of brandy wine,
don't you shout to come and look,
nor use 'em for your play.
Put the brush wood back again;
they'll be gone next day.

If you see a stable door
standing open wide;
and if you see a tired horse
lyin' down inside;
if your mother mends a coat
all cut about, and torn;
if the lining's wet and warm,
don't you ask no more.

If you see King George's men
all dressed in blue and red,
you be careful what you say,
and mindful what is said.
If they call you "pretty maid,"
and chuck you 'neath the chin,
don't say where no-one is,
nor yet where no-one's been.

Knocks and footsteps 'round the house,
whistles after dark.
You've no cause to run and look
until the house dogs bark:
Trusty's here, and Pincher's here,
and see how dumb they lie,
they don't fret to follow
when the Gentlemen go by.

If you do as you've been told,
likely there's a chance
you'll be given a dainty doll
all the way from France,
with a cap of Valencienne,
and a velvet hood;
a present from the Gentlemen
along of bein' good.

Five and twenty ponies,
trottin' through the dark,
with brandy for the Parson,
and 'baccy for the Clark.
Them that asks no questions
isn't told a lie.
Watch the wall, my darling,
while the Gentlemen go by.