I stole the Prince, and I brought him here And left him gaily prattling With a highly respectable gondolier Who promised the Royal babe to rear And teach him the trade of a timoneer With his own beloved bratling! Both of the babes were strong and stout And, considering all things, clever! Of that there is no manner of doubt No probable, possible shadow of doubt No possible doubt whatever! But owing, Im much disposed to fear To his terrible taste for tippling That highly respectable gondolier Could never declare with a mind sincere Which of the two was his offspring dear And which the Royal stripling! Which was which he could never make out Despite his best endeavour1 Of that there is no manner of doubt No probable, possible shadow of doubt No possible doubt whatever! Time sped, and when at the end of a year I sought that infant cherished That highly respectable gondolier Was lying a corpse on his humble bier I dropped a Grand Inquisitors tear That gondolier had perished! A taste for drink, combined with gout! Had doubled him up for ever! Of that there is no manner of doubt No probable, possible shadow of doubt No possible doubt whatever! The children followed his old career This statement cant be parried! Of a highly respectable gondolier Well, one of the two who will soon be here But which of the two is not quite clear Is the Royal Prince you married! Search in and out and round about And youll discover never A tale so free from every doubt All probable, possible shadow of doubt All possible doubt whatever! A tale so free from every doubt All probable, possible shadow of doubt All possible doubt whatever!
doubt, possible, gondolier, probable, respectable