Benjamin Bowmaneer

 
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Have you heard how the wars began, Benjamin Bowmaneer? 
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Have you heard how the wars began? Castors away! 
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Have you heard how the wars began when England fought to a man? 
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And the proud tailor rode prancing away 
 

 
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Of his shear board he made a horse, Benjamin Bowmaneer 
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Of his shear board he made a horse, Castors away! 
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Of his shear board he made a horse for him to ride across. 
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And the proud tailor rode prancing away 
 

 
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Of his scissors made bridle bits, Benjamin Bowmaneer 
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Of his scissors made bridle bits, Castors away! 
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Of his scissors made bridle bits to keep the horse in his wits. 
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And the proud tailor rode prancing away 
 

 
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As the tailor rode o'er the lea, Benjamin Bowmaneer 
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As the tailor rode o'er the lea, Castors away! 
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As the tailor rode o'er the lea, he spied a flea on his knee. 
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And the proud tailor rode prancing away 
 

 
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Of his needle he made a spear, Benjamin Bowmaneer 
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Of his needle he made a spear, Castors away! 
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Of his needle he made a spear to prick that flea through his ear. 
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And the proud tailor rode prancing away 
 

 
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Of his thimble he made a bell, Benjamin Bowmaneer 
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Of his thimble he made a bell, Castors away! 
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Of his thimble he made a bell to ring that flea's funeral knell. 
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And the proud tailor rode prancing away 
 

 
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Was this how the wars began, Benjamin Bowmaneer? 
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Was this how the wars began? Castors away! 
Am                     G               Am              Em 
Was this how the wars began when England fought to a man? 
Am                        G        Am 
And the proud tailor rode prancing away