PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI
VOLUME 105, August 19th 1893
edited by Sir Francis Burnand
POPULAR SONGS RE-SUNG. "BLAZY BILL; OR, THE BICYCLE CAD."
Air—"Daisy Bell; or, a Bicycle made for Two."
"The churl in nature up anddown" is perennial and ubiquitous.Like the god Vishnu, hehas many avatars. Every newdevelopment of popular pastime(for instance) developes its ownparticular species of "Cad."Leech's "Galloping Snob" of aquarter of a century ago has beensucceeded by that Jehu of the"Bike," the Cycling Cad, towhose endearing manners andcustoms in the Queen's highway,and elsewhere, the long-sufferingpedestrian is persuaded a laggardLaw will shortly have to find itsattention urgently directed. Mr.Punch, who is of the same opinion,adapts Mr. Harry Dacre's popularsong to what he is convincedwill be a popular purpose.
Perturbed Pedestrian sings:—
There is a fear within my heart,
Blazy! Blazy!
Planted one day with a demon dart.
Planted by Blazy Bill.
Whether he'll kill me, or kill me not,
Smash me or only spill,
Little I know, but I'd give a lot
To be rescued from Blazy Bill.
Chorus—
Blazy! Blazy!
Give me a chance, Sir, do!
I'm half crazy,
All for the fear of you.
You haven't a stylish way, Sir,
I can't admire that "blazer"
(Which you think sweet).
The curse of the street
Is the Bicycle Cad—like you!
You rattle along as though for your life,
Blazy! Blazy!
Pedalling madly, with mischief rife,
Blundering Blazy Bill!
When the road's dark we need Argus sight,
Your bell and your lamp do nil
But dazzle our eyes and our ears affright,
Blustering Blazy Bill!
Chorus—
Blazy! Blazy!
Bother your "biking" crew!
I'm half crazy,
All for sheer dread of you.
I can't afford a carriage,
If I walk—in Brixton or Harwich—
The curse of the street,
I am sure to meet
In a Bicycle Cad like you!
Why should we stand this wheel-bred woe?
Blazy! Blazy!
Yes, your vile bell you will ring, I know,
Suddenly, Blazy Bill,
When you're close on my heels, and a trip I make,
And, unless I skedaddle with skill,
I'm over before you have put on the ...