Chimbley Sweep
The Decemberists



Language
English (Oregonish)

Physical Availability
Her Majesty the Decembrists

Links of interest
What's a chimbley?
See also Leslie Anne Levine
Fakers! (ctrl+F decemberists) - a not uncommon complaint, but, meh.
Why the Decemb(e)rists?
Among other questions.

Background
Despite the attempt at UK sound, this is a fully American group. Can you spot the difference? Whatever the origin, it's one of those songs that I heard down the hall and zephyred (internal IM) to ask "geez, what is that?! It's good!" A lot of the other songs are more story-like, but they're all contagious.

Lyrics
I am a chimbley, a chimbley sweep.
No bed to lie, no shoes to hold my feet.
On a rooftop in dead of night
You’ll hear me cry I’ll shake you from your sleep

To hear me weep. Your day will come indeed.
For I am a poor and a wretched boy,
Chimbley Chimbley Sweep.

I am an orphan, an orphan boy.
I’ve known no love; I’ve seen no mother’s joy.
On a dirty doorstep, my cradle lay.
My fortune made I’ll shake you from your sleep

To hear me weep. Your day will come indeed.
For I am a poor and a wretched boy,
Chimbley Chimbley Sweep.

A lonely urchin, The widow cries.
I’ve not been swept since the day my husband died.
Her cheeks are blushing, her legs lay bare.
And shipwrecked there I’ll shake you from your sleep

To hear me weep. Your day will come indeed.
For I am a poor and a wretched boy,
Chimbley Chimbley Sweep.
For I am a poor and a wretched boy,
Chimbley Chimbley Sweep.




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