A man there was, a gentle soul, br Of mild enquiring mind, br Who came into this neighbourhood br Its wonders for to find [ … ] br br They told him who had put the lid br On Lydney; who the ale br Misspelt in Aylburton. And he br Delighted in the tale. br br And still, like little Oliver, br He softly asked for more; br And with the utmost courtesy br Was answered as before. br br Until one sleepy summer's eve br He came all unaware br Unto a place called Ruardean, br And asked ‘Who killed the bear?' br br The man arose and punched him flat; br Another punched his head, br And when the rest had done with him br Our gentle friend was dead. br br The moral of this simple tale br Is plain. Dear friend, beware! br If you should visit Ruardean br Don't mention any bear. br br If you should climb to Yorkley Slad br Pause not to question why br They put a pig upon the wall br To see the band go by. br br And if your feet so far should stray br As Dymock, lest some hurt br Befall you, make no mention of br The man without a shirt. br br Nine lives have cats, and you but one: br Risk not that gift of God! br It's better to be ignorant br Than dead beneath the sod.