Rigs of the Time
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"Rigs of the Time" is a traditional folk song with print examples dating back to the 1780s.[1] A similar piece usually titled "Hard Times" is more commonly found in North America, which most researchers agree is a variant on this one, though there is some dispute on this point.[2] Regardless, the song has enjoyed steady popularity, with recordings by Shirley Collins, Peter Bellamy, Bellowhead, and many others.
The Longest Johns released their version on YouTube on 27 Feb 2025.
Factoids
Rig is an old word meaning "trick" or "prank", with a nautical provenance: as pirates deceive by changing the rig of their vessel, so "rig" came to mean a trick to deceive, or a frolicsome deception.[3]
Lyrics
As performed in the video; the Johns appear to follow the Dreadnoughts' version; other versions are available here.
No wonder that butter's a shilling a pound
See them rich farmers' daughters how they ride up and down
If you ask them the reason they'll say, "Bon alas!
There's been a French war, and the cows have no grass."
{Chorus}
Singing, honesty's all out of fashion
These are the rigs of the time
Time, me boys
These are the rigs of the time
Now here's to our landlord, I must bring him in
Charges tuppence a pint and yet thinks it's no sin
When he do bring it in, the measure is short
And the top of your pint is all covered in froth
{Chorus}
Here's to the butcher, I must bring him in
Charges four pence a pound and yet thinks it's no sin
Slaps his thumb on the scales and makes it go down
He declares it's a full weight, yet it lacks half a pound
{Chorus}
Here's to the baker, I must bring him in
Charges a ha'penny a loaf and yet thinks it's no sin
When he do bring it in, it's no bigger than your fist
And the top of the loaf is all covered in grist
{Chorus}
Now here's to the tailor who skims all our clothes
And here's to the cobbler who pinches our toes
Our bellies all empty, our backsides are bare
No wonder we've reason to curse and to swear
{Chorus}