For all who mend... with a tink, terry, tink

[Dennis Piechota]

Happy Holidays

A 19th C. tinker's repair 

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The Tinker's Song*

Have you any work for the tinker, brisk maids? 

Old brass, old pots, old kettles.
I'll mend 'em all with a tink, terry, tink 

and never hurt your chattels.

First let me have but a touch of your ale,

'Twill steel me 'gainst cold weather.
Or tinker's freeze, or vintner's lees, 

or tobacco choose you whether.

But of your ale, your nappy ale,

I would I had a firkin.
For I am old, and very, very cold, 

and never wear a jerkin.

*collected and transcibed in London, 1667

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Best wishes for the upcoming year 

to museum tinkers everywhere.

Dennis

Dennis Piechota

Archaeological Conservator

Fiske Center for Archaeological Research
UMass Boston
Office: 617-287-6829

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