"I have included this fine pace-egging song - which we used to sing onstage - as representative of that period of the band. It used to be sung by four of us, each one taking a character's part, virtually unaccompanied."

 

The song itself comes from Overton Village, Sunderland Point, Lancashire, and was sung by the pace-eggers (locally known as “jolly-boys”), the North-Western Easter-time mummers.

 

Oh we're jolly boys, we do no harm
Wherever we do go
For we've come a pace-egging
As you very well do know

 

So the first that does come in, he is a blooming youth,
He courts all the pretty girls, and always tells them truth;
He say's he'll never deceive them, he's always kind and true,
And 'tis his delight both day and night in drinking of strong brew.

 

Oh we're jolly boys, we do no harm
Wherever we do go
For we've come a pace-egging
As you very well do know

 

So the next that does come in, he is a sailor brave,
He says he's ploughed the ocean, and split the briny wave,
He says he has got gold, and he says he has got store,
And he says he'll marry a pretty girl and go to sea no more.

 

Oh we're jolly boys, we do no harm
Wherever we do go
For we've come a pace-egging
As you very well do know

 

So the next that does come in, oh he is a roving blade,
Amongst the lasses he will be, for he is such a jade,
Red rosy cheeks are his delight, most beautiful and fair,
And if you want a sweetheart, you must come to Overton fair!

 

Oh we're jolly boys, we do no harm
Wherever we do go
For we've come a pace-egging
As you very well do know

 

So the next that does come in, oh she is Miss Kitty Fair,
She takes a great delight in the curling of her hair,
She carries a basket by her side - she's got no store put in -
It's her delight delight both day and night in drinking of strong gin.

 

Oh we're jolly boys, we do no harm
Wherever we do go
For we've come a pace-egging
As you very well do know

 

So now you've seen us all, speak of us as you find,
You'll please to give up a trifle - it will be very kind.
So cheer up your spirits while we drink a glass of beer,
And we'll drink you health and store your wealth until the very next year.

 

Oh we're jolly boys, we do no harm
Wherever we do go
For we've come a pace-egging
As you very well do know.

on their only album Hark! The Village Wait.