 "an invitation to lubberland" was a broadside ballad first printed in 1685. many believe  that it inspired the hobo ballad which formed the basis of the song big rock candy mountain recorded in 1928 by harry mcclintock. ==lyrics== sung to the tune of billy and molly or the journey-man shoemaker by daniel cooper. there is all sorts of fowl and fish,with wine and store of brandy;ye have there what your hearts can wish:the hills are sugar-candy there is a ship, we understand,now riding in the river;tis newly come from lubberland,the like i think was never;you that a lazy life do love.i'd have you now go over,they say the land is not abovetwo thousand leagues from dover. the captain and the master too,do's give us this relation,and so do's all the whole ship's crew,concerning this strange nation:"the streets are pav'd with pudding-pies,nay, powder'd-beef and bacon,they say they scorn to tell you lies:'who thinks it is mistaken. the king of knaves, and queen of slutsreign there in peace and quiet;you need not fear to starve your guts,there is such store of dyet:there may you live free from all care,like hogs set up a fat'ning;the garments which the people wearis silver, silk and satin. the lofty buildings of this placefor many years have lasted;with nutmegs, pepper, cloves, and mace,the walls are there rough-cast,in curious hasty-pudding boil'd,and most ingenious carving;likewise they are with pancakes ty'd,sure, here's no fear of starving. the captain says, "in every town,hot roasted pigs will meet ye,they in the streets run up and down,still crying out, come eat me"likewise, he says, "at every feast,the very fowls and fishes,nay from the biggest to the least,comes tumbling to the dishes. "the rivers run with claret fine,the brooks with rich canary,the ponds with other sorts of wine,to make your hearts full merry:nay, more than this, you may behold,the fountains flow with brandy,the rocks are like refined gold,the hills are sugar candy. "rose-water is the rain they have,which comes in pleasant showers,all places are adorned brave,with sweet and fragrant flowers.hot custards grows on ev'ry tree,each ditch affords rich jellies;now if you will be ruled by me,go there and fill your bellies. "there's nothing there but holy-dayswith music out of measure;who can forbear to speak the praiseof such a land of pleasure?there may you lead a lazy lifefree from all kind of labours:and he that is without a wife,may borrow of his neighbour. "there is no law nor lawyer's feesall men are free from fury,for ev'ry one do's what he please,without a judge or jury:the summer-time is warm they say,the winter's ne'er the colder,they have no landlords' rent to payeach man is a free-holder." you that are free to cross the seasmake no more d
17th-century_broadside_ballads