Classic Poem

A Cooper there was, he work'd at his trade
Old barrells he mended, and new one's he made,
So stiff in his way, he had Will for his Name,
Yet he liv'd a long while in good credit and fame.

But his credit Will lost—Lost how? do you ask?
Why he put an old bung in a new red-oak Cask.

He long dealt in mending—nor dealt he in Vain,
For the pence tumbled in, and rewarded his pain,
Till riches increasing—he at length grew so bold,
He was all for New Work and despised the old.

But his credit Will lost—Lost how? do you ask?
Why he put an old bung in a new red-oak Cask.

He now was resolv'd with all possible care
And contrivance—a mighty hugh Barrell to rear;
Not like other barrells so paultry and weak,
But the biggest and strongest that ever was seen.

But his credit Will lost—Lost how? do ye ask?
Why he put an old bung in a new red-oak Cask.

So he muster'd all hands—George, Gilbert and James
And Daniel, and Andrew were call'd by their names,
And Bound to assist in this great undertaking,
For they'd have a barrell, all of their own making.

But his credit Will lost—Lost how? do ye ask?
Why he put an old bung in a new red-oak Cask.

Then to it they went, and the stave they upreared,
And as well as they could the Heading prepar'd,
Then trust the long Hoops to put over all,
For they knew without Hooping, the barrell must fall.

But his credit Will lost—Lost how? do ye ask?
Why he put an old bung in a new red-oak Cask.

With driver and addze they go merrily round,
And dub-dub a dub, the barrell does sound,
So the New Work, the Great Work, the Good Work goes on;
Will swore it should equal the Heidelburg Tun.

But his credit Will lost—Lost how? do ye ask?
Why he put an old bung in a new red-oak Cask.

Now Will on surveying his tools and his stuff,
Perceiv'd he had not got Heading enough;
So he call'd for More-head, for do what he will,
He knew without More-head the Work must stand still.

But his credit Will lost—Lost how? do ye ask?
Why he put an old bung in a new red-oak Cask.

The Cask was now try'd but it leak'd at each head
The joints were so open it would scarcely hold bread.
This abated Will's pride, so he took the hoops off
Lest neigh'bring Coopers should at the Work scoff.

But his credit Will lost—Lost how? do ye ask?
Why he put an old bung in a new red-oak Cask.

But Will he espy'd on a careful survey
A Stave of sound Ash-ly light in his Way,
So he took it—'twill make the Cask tight with a jerk
And 'twill honour the Staves to be put in the Work.

But his credit Will lost—Lost how? do ye ask?
Why he put an old bung in a new red-oak Cask.

This Stave was so sound, and infallibly right,
That Will could not bend it, with all main and might;
So vex'd to the heart, he fell beating on,
But sure he had better, have let it alone.

For his credit Will lost—Lost how? do ye ask?
Why he put an old bung in a new red-oak Cask.

And thus with the powerful stroke of his giving,
He started the Hoops with his furious driving:
The barrell no longer with Hoops being bound—
Down fell the whole Work all flat to the ground.

For his credit Will lost—Lost how? do ye ask?
Why he put an old bung in a new red-oak Cask.

All you Coopers beware of this Coopers fate,
Be advis'd and take Warning before 'tis too late,
Lest it fare with you all, as with him it has far'd:
So in driving be careful you drive not too hard.

But his credit Will lost—Lost how? do ye ask?
Why he put an old bung in a new red-oak Cask.