Come Here, Fellow Servant
Play/Download Music File
Lesley Nelson
Information
Lyrics
This tune was sung in the comedy "High Life Below the Stairs" by James Townley (1714-1778). It was very popular in Colonial America. Come here, fellow Servant, and listen to me,
I'll show you how those of superior degree
Are only dependents, no better than we.
Both high and low in this do agree,

Chorus
'Tis here, fellow servant, and there fellow servant,
And all in a livery.
'Tis here, fellow servant, and there fellow Servant,
And all in a livery.
See yonder fine spark, in embroidery dress'd
Who bows to the great, and, if they smile, is blest;
Who is he? i'faith, but a servant at best,

Chorus
'Tis here, fellow servant, and there fellow servant,
And all in a livery.
'Tis here, fellow servant, and there fellow Servant,
And all in a livery.
Nature made all alike, no distinction she craves,
So we laugh at the great world its fools and its knaves;
For we are all Servants, but they are all slaves.

Chorus
'Tis here, fellow servant, and there fellow servant,
And all in a livery.
'Tis here, fellow servant, and there fellow Servant,
And all in a livery.
The fat shining glutton looks up to his shelf,
The wrinkled lean miser bows down to his pelf,
And the curl-pated beau is a slave to himself

Chorus
'Tis here, fellow servant, and there fellow servant,
And all in a livery.
'Tis here, fellow servant, and there fellow Servant,
And all in a livery.
The gay sparkling belle who the whole town alarms,
And with eyes, lips and neck, sets the smarts all in arms,
Is a vassal herself, a meer drudge to her charms

Chorus
'Tis here, fellow servant, and there fellow servant,
And all in a livery.
'Tis here, fellow servant, and there fellow Servant,
And all in a livery.
Then we'll drink like our betters, and laugh, sing and love,
And when sick of one place, to another we'll move,
For with little and great, the best joy is to rove,

Chorus
'Tis here, fellow servant, and there fellow servant,
And all in a livery.
'Tis here, fellow servant, and there fellow Servant,
And all in a livery.
Related Links
From Songs from The Williamsburg Theatre
See Bibliography for full information.