On the day I left the village, my dear Mother whispered 'Nell,Take this piece of bread and dripping and your fare,
And remember when in London, though you're just a servant gel,
You're a blonde, the sort that gentlemen ensnare.
With your youth and fatal beauty, when you get to Waterloo,
There'll be crowds of dukes and millionaires all waiting there for you' 'But
Heaven will protect an honest gel,
An angiel will guard you, little Nell,
When these rich men tempt you, Nelly,
With their sparkelling Moselly,
Say 'Naynay!' and do be very carefuel!
And if some old bloated blase rouoe swell
Says 'I'll kiss you, we're alone in this hotel',
Breathe a prayer he shall not do it,
And then biff him with the cruet,
Then Heaven will protect an honest gel!'
When I got to wicked London, in my little clogs and shawl,
And my bit of bread and dripping in my hand,
I went up to that big Lifeguard on his horse outside Whitehall,
And I asked him to direct me to the Strand.
But he didn't even answer, he just sat there with his sword,
In a helmet that had whiskers on, so I said, 'Thank the Lord For
Heaven will protect an honest gel,
And I reached Piccadilly safe and well,
There I saw a red light showing,
But across I started going,
When a P'Iiceman pulled me back I nearly fell.
'Yoij're a silly little fool' he starts to yell,
'Don't you know what that red light means?' I said 'Well,
Red's for danger if you please sir,
But don't switch it on for me sir,
'Cause Heaven will protect an honest gel!'
Heaven will protect an honest gel,
That night I got a job at some Hotel,
But the Chef was most improper,
For he sat me on the copper
And said,'Kiss me or I'll boil you, little Nell.'
But I slapped him on the face and in I fell,
And I came up for the third time with a yell,
'In the soup I'm going to simmer
But I'll come out clean and slimmer,
For Heaven will protect an honest gel!'
I wandered round Licester Square from six o'clock nine,
But no millionaire came tempting me to stray,
'If he does,' I thought, 'I']] let him take me to the Ri to dine,
Then I'll gollop up his tripe and run ;2tway.'
Eh by gum, I did feel hungry, eh, I hadn't had a bit
Since my bit of bread and dripping, and I knew t Ma was right For
Heaven will protect an honest gel,
Next day I pawned my shawl in Camberwell,
Then my skirt and blouse, I sold 'em
And went tramping back to Oldham;
When a fortnight passed, then I rang at the bell.
'Eh, but Mother dear' I said 'it's little NeIl,
I have lost my sole, my uppers too, as well;
And I've walked home in my undies,
But I'll tell my Class on Sundays
That Heaven will protect an honest gel!'
