Siren Sisters

NB - familiarity with the pronunciation of the British place names in this poem is essential to comprehend some of the lines - and to ensure the tongue twisting effect in parts. The Seven Siren Sisters of old Cirencester Are more infamous now than the lechers of Leicester While walking with linked arms in Lincoln one day They saw six sailors sinking pints on the public highway Their giggles could be heard way down in Biggleswade town Where the cattle drovers were supping in ye olde Rose & Crown When one time they rummaged in the markets of Kent Even they were shocked at the brass they had spent fourteen shillings had gone and a handful of pence. nowt left in their purses to furnish the rent so they came to the notion of trading themselves for to pay the landlord and put food on their shelves Soon with all their gay laughter and raucous loud shouts some curtains at their lodgings were twitching about and when out were seen tottering many men who were known to be married to others that lived close by that home there was such a commotion as wives came scurrying forth one carried a bucket filled with fresh muck from a horse A pitched fight then started with brooms and an odd frying pan until the wives were left standing over each cowering man while the Seven Siren Sisters of Old Cirencester sneaked out the back door and ran off to Rochester never again did they return there to work picking hops but it wasn't the last time they'd spend too much in the shops ©Rhumour October 10th 2008