I speak the king's English I kneel in is chapel I face 40 lashes for stealing is apples I live in his tavern die in his field Drink to his health and the turn of the wheel Michael's my name I was born in this Clatter 25 years As if nothing's the matter It's hard to become very much of a man You've been walking around with your head in your hands I speak the king's English I kneel in is chapel I face 40 lashes for stealing is apples I live in is tavern die in his field Drink to his health and the turn of the wheel No matter the rattle of coin in my pocket But I'd sooner buy my Dear Rosie a locket Then leave this old countryside dry to the bone Pour me another one heres to the throne I speak the king's English I kneel in is chapel I face 40 lashes for stealing is apples I live in is tavern die in his field Yeah yeah Drink to his health and the turn of the wheel Hey hey Up on a hill In a castle of stone A withered old man on the grass sleeping alone While I'm at the bar with my rose on my knee I know which one of us I'd rather be I speak the king's English I kneel in is chapel I face 40 lashes for stealing is apples I live in is tavern die in his field yeah yeah yeah yeah Drink to his health and the turn of the wheel I speak the king's English I kneel in is chapel I face 40 lashes for stealing is apples I live in is tavern die in his field yeah yeah Drink to his health and the turn of the wheel Ha ha ha