This is the life of Jonathan Martin, written by himself; A finer book you'll never read, nor sit upon your shelf: Please forgive the grammar, of this illiterate man; For I aim to bring you closer to God's glory, if I can.
My life is here, for all to see; Printed in ink, for all to read: Fine copperplate engravings I include; To illustrate the glory I've accrued.
I've one for the master, One for the dame, One for each little lad, And one for the lame: Fourteen thousand copies I have sold to date; Grab a copy while you can, Before it is too late.
I tramp the fair lands Of Darlington, York and Leeds; Spreading forth the bounty Of God's holy seeds.
You will notice me, if by you I should pass; For just like our Saviour, I ride upon an ass: My sealskin cape is lined outside with fur; I wonder why you people mock and stare.
So come all you tramps and hawker lads, Come all you bounders and you cads; Come each and all, you ladies and you gents; I present my ‘Life’, for the small sum of sixpence.
I've one for the master, One for the dame, One for each little lad, And one for the lame: Fourteen thousand copies I have sold to date; Grab a copy while you can, Before it is too late.
And now to close, I've one final thought to send; I pray my wanderings and sorrows Are now at an end.
Gary Miller - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Cabassa Iain Petrie - Electric Guitar, Piano, Keyboards, Glockenspiel, Bass Guitar, Drums, Tambourine, Shaker, Backing Vocals Dick Spittal - Saxaphone
My Dream of My Foot Cut Offby the Command of the Princess and the King
[ink and wash on paper],Jonathan Martin, 1829. Bethlem Museum of the Mind.
The Son of Bonaparte [engraving], Jonathan Martin, 1826. In: The Life of Jonathan Martin, Tanner, by Himself, 2nd Edition, Jonathan Martin, 1826. [frontispiece].