Britten: Peter Grimes, Op. 33 / Act 1: "Hi! Give Us a Hand" - Peter Pears/Raymond Nilsson/James Pease/Jean Watson/Geraint Evans/David Kelly/Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Benjamin Britten

Lyrics by：Montagu Slater|George Crabbe

Composed by：Benjamin Britten

Hi give us a hand

Haul the boat

Haul it yourself Grimes

Hi somebody bring the rope

I'll give a hand the tide is near the turn

We'll drown the gossips in a tidal storm

Parsons may moralise and fools decide

But a good publican takes neither side

I'll give a tide is near the turn

Man invented morals but tides have none

This lost soul of a fisherman must be

Shunned by respectable society

I have my business

Oh tied

Let the preachers learn

Hell may be fiery

Hell may be fiery

The tide will turn

Will turn

Grimes you won't need help from now

I've got a prentice for you

A workhouse brat

I called at the workhouse yesterday

All you do now is fetch the boy

We'll send the carter with a note

He'll bring your bargain on his cart

Jim Hobson we've a job for you

Cart's full sir more than I can do

Listen Jim you'll go to the workhouse

And ask for Mr Keene his purchase

Bring him back to Grimes

Cart's full sir I have no room

Hobson you'll do what there is to be done

Is this a Christian country

Are pauper children so enslaved

That their bodies go for cash

Hobson will you do your job