John Taylor

Well John Taylor was a brick layer in 1872
Build a garden wall or fix a hole, that he could do
But there's one just place where old John's skills, were at a lack
He couldn't feed his family, or pay his tax

John Taylor stole the trowel of the other brick layer in town
"Without his trowel, he'll have no work, and that will slow him down"
John Taylor thought to move right in, and take his place
He'd have more jobs and make more cash at a faster rate

Hey, John Taylor, why'd you steal that trowel?
Well, John Taylor, you know you're in trouble now
Yeah, the p'liceman he'll come after you with his stick and gun
So John Taylor you'd better run

The year went on and John made good on his rash plan
He built a fireplace and a garden wall and had cash on hand
The bricklayer from across the town finally saw what John had done
He went and told the p'liceman, who got his gun

Hey, John Taylor, why'd you steal that trowel?
Well, John Taylor, you know you're in trouble now
Yeah, the p'liceman's coming after you with his stick and gun
So John Taylor you'd better run

He left his wife and family and headed for the hills
But poor old John, bricklaying was his only skill
In three days flat he was caught and charged with burglary
And the county court fined him a hefty fee

Hey, John Taylor, why'd you steal that trowel?
Well, John Taylor, you know you're in trouble now
Yeah, the p'liceman he came after you with his stick and gun
But now John Taylor, you're story's done.