Great fortunes have been lost and won
By those who for them thirst
And many doers have been done
Who've boiled the pot to bust
Now one James Plush of Buckley Square [Note 329.1]
A gent's own gentleman [Note 329.2]
His masters suit would often wear
To suit his Mary Ann.
That is to her his suit to pay
Though oft she would aver
In any way or any suit
His suit well suited her
Fool lol der ol, fol lol der ol, lol der ol de ray
Fol lol der ol, fol lol der ol,
Lol lol der ol de ray

James's master being out of town
(As you may know I guess)
In his master's clothes he first sat down,
Then borrowed his address
Of 'Railway Stag's he'd stagged¹ the plan
And it to him seemed clear
A stag¹ he'd be since Mary ann.
Had often called him 'dear'
To all new specs¹ he quickly wrote
Requesting grant of share
And signed like some great man of note
"Fitzplush of Buckley Square [Note 329.3]

Poor many Ann's wages were in a cup
Long treasured to a crown¹
He borrowed that for grants sent up
He might deposit down
Her twenty pounds in time most short
He found went a long way
Though he only went to Capel_court°
No distance great you'll say
The butcher stared and gave him a grin
(A fact by no means rare)
When letters fast came pouring in-
Fitzplush of Buckley Square

Deposits paid - shares sold off quite
Fitzplush his master left
And Mary Ann. (which was not right)
Of all her cash bereft.
Of a cottage near the Serpentine(1)
Of falling he'd no fears
Our hero took a lease
And left his kitchen maid to pine
Forsaken and in grease
He kept his cab, and learned to dance
Played cards - (not vulgar "Put(1)")
With him it was no wild romance
To shuffle and to cut

James on a countess put his eye
You'll say he'd high ideals
In love soar'd to the seventh sky [Note 329.4]
Of falling he'd no fears
Not long had he love making been
Ere he began to sing
If you'll love me my "beauty's queen" [Note 329.5]
I'll be your "Railway King" [Note 329.6]
The countess did not this decline
So James becoming vain
Felt sure to get her in a line
He'd laid the proper train

The marriage deeds(1) were drawn out all
He'd near drained Fortunes cup [Note 329.7]
His broker¹ gave a morning call
Saying all was broken up
At first James thought he'd cut and run
But then he did not see
Though once a footman, any fun
A running one to be. [Note 329.8]
For countess 't was in vain to count
So like a prudent man
He thought he'd see what small amount
Of love had Mary Ann.

He vow'd contrite, he'd no more roam
Ten oaths or there about
She said "though you've found me at home
False man, I've found you out"
But as ladies love is ever true
(Right truly I do sing)
For James and his sweet belle's true blue
The bells were heard to ring
James plush a lucky man was found
(Such incidents are rare)
For rouges to bring all things so round
As James did in the Square. [Note 329.9]