davidkidd@spiritone.com
  


The matter of what that tune is is discussed on my Captain Kidd Music page. Whereas this page lists the lyrics of fifty songs that may have no connection at all - except their tune and a rhyming meter.

THE POETIC STRUCTURE

These poems all have a rhythm of trochaic tetrameters, varied by leaving the second dimeter of lines 4 and 8 unvoiced.

Their stanza pattern would be an octet rhymed on alternate lines were it not for the sixth line; for six and seven are rhymed with five making a tercet. Then the following line, line 8, returns to the first rhyme, rather like a limerick.

The ottava rima, a-b-a-b-a-b-c-c, is similar in that its alternates switch to a couplet, however this stanza pattern is more primitive: a-b-a-b-a-b-b-b-a, for the tercet rhymes with an alternate. More primitive yet many of the songs have lines 2, 4 and 8 ending even in the same word, as may also lines 1, 3 and 5.

What historians seek is printed scores. But unfortunately broadsheets sold in the street rarely had their score printed because music-typesetting is a costly specialty. A folio broadside cost only two pennies, but that included the vendor teaching you the tune. Only songs that were esteemed enough to make it into books merited the extra expense of typesetting of scores.

The earliest song whose titles suggest it is in the meter we're looking for is:

MY LUFE IS LYAND SEICK, SEND HYM JOY, SEND HYM JOY, mentioned in the Complaynt of Scotland of 1550.

The next is a sacred song All My Lufe, Leif Me Not whose lyrics were printed by the Wedderburn brothers in Gude and Godlie Ballates in 1567.
ALL MY LUFE, LEAVE ME NOT
1.
All my lufe leif me not,
Leif me not, leif me not,
All my lufe leif me not this myne alone
With ane burding on my back,
I may not beir it I am so waik,
Lufe, this burding fra me tak
Or ellis I am gone [I am gone,]
Lufe, this burding fra me tak or ellis I am gone.

Anne Geddes Gilchrist believed this to be a sacred parody of a secular folk song and set it to the tune of Germanie Thomas.
Source: Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, vol. III no 3, 1938, pp 157-182.

The earliest printed score resembling Captain Kidd's tune and meter is a Carol, unfortunately it's in three-four time. PLAY 11Carl.mid   or PLAY 11CaRe.mid

1611 Thomas Ravencroft's Melismata
Country Pastimes 23
A CHRISTMAS CAROL

1.
Remember O thou man,
O thou man, O thou man,
Remember O thou man thy time is spent
Remember O thou man, how thou art dead and gone, and
I did what I can, therefore repent.
2.
Remember Adams fall
O thou man, O thou man,
Remember Adams fall
from heaven to hell:
Remember Adams fall
How we were condemned all
In hell perpetuall
therefor to dwell.
3.
Remember Gods goodnesse
O thou man, O thou man,
Remember Gods goodnesse
And his promise made.
Remember Gods goodnesse
How he sent his sonne doubtless
Our sinnes for to redresse,
be not afraid.
4.
The Angels all did sing
O thou man, O thou man.
The Angels all did sing
Upon the Shepherds hill.
The Angels all did sing
Praises to our heavenly King,
And peace to man loving
with a good will.
5.
The shepherds amazed was,
O thou man, O thou man
The shepherds amazed was
To hear the Angels sing.
The shepherds amazed was
How it should come to passe
That Christ our Messias
should be our King.
6.
To Bethlem did they go
O thou man, O thou man,
To Bethlem did they go
The shepherds three,
To Bethlem did they go
To see where it were four no,
Whether Christ were borne or no
to set man free.
7.
As the Angels before did say
O thou man, O thou man
As the Angels before did say,
So it came to passe,
As the Angels before did say,
They found a babe whereas it lay
In a manger wrapt on hay,
So poore he was.
8.
In Bethlehem he was borne,
O thou man, O thou man,
In Bethlehem he was borne,
For makind sake,
In Bethlehem he was borne,
For us that were forlorne,
And therefore took no scorne
our flesh to take.
9.
Give thanks to God alway,
O thou man, O thou man,
Give thanks to God alway
With heart most joyfully
Give thanks to God alway,
For this our happy day,
Let all men sing and say
holy, holy.
FINIS.

Source: Ravenscroft, Thomas, Melismata 1611
Source: <http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/ravenscroft/>
"Neither Simpson, nor Ward, make any comments on Ravenscroft's tune for 'Remember, O thou man', and its tune was not cited for any broadside ballads." (Olson)

WELL-A-DAY
No score was printed for this song

1.
Courteous kind Gallants all, pittie me, pittie me,
My time is now but small, here to continue:
Thousands of people stay, To see my dying day, Sing I then welladay, wofully mourning.

The tune "Well-a-day" was elsewhere called "Essex's Last Good-Night".
Other songs in this meter were marked to be sung to the tune "Well-a-day". For example A balad on the death of Sir Walter Raleigh 1618. Pepys Broadside Vol. I. fol 111
Source H.E. Rollins, A Pepypsian Garland 1922, pp.89 ff.
The tune "Well-a-day" was also to be used for "The Arraignment of the Divell".

Source: Bronson, Bertrand H. California Folklore Quarterly, 1942 p. 63

 

 1654 SOUND A CHARGE
No lyrics are known for "Sound a Charge". It seems to make its first appearance in print as the tune for "A Spiritual Song touching doing away of Sin," in a book A small Mite of 1654, item #572 in Joseph Frank's Hobbled Pegasus 1968.

The tune Sound a Charge is also cited for Put in All in 24 country Dances for the Year 1708 (Olson 2004-05-26), and for Touch and Go.

Source: The music for "Sound a Charge" is in JC's ABC Tune Finder (B438, B439) and on my Lyrics History ABC page (DK).

C. M. Simpson writes that there is no concrete evidence to equate 'Sound a Charge' with 'Coming Down' or 'Captain Kidd.' But we the jury say that neither can we say that they are not related, and a prisoner cannot be proved guilty without evidence, unless you're Captain Kidd. Is Simpson being too legalistic in requiring concrete evidence?

1660
THE LOYALL SUBJECTS JOY
to the tune of Sound a Charge

You Loyall Subjects all
sing for joy, sing for joy
Good news here's at White-Hall,
sing for joy.
A second Charles is come,
Though heavy news to some,
Let them say no more but mum
sing for joy, sing for joy.

Source: Euing, Roxburghe; reprinted in RB VII 678.
Source: Simpson p.672-3.

Next comes the earliest printed score in the same time signature as "Captain Kidd": 27FpLw.

1642
LONDON'S FAREWELL TO PARLIAMENT
Henry Lawes

1.
farwell to ye parlyament
with a Hey with a Hey,
far well to ye parliament
with a Hoe,
your dear delight ye Cittye,
whose wants have made us witty
& a figg for ye close Comittee
with a Hey tronony nony Hoe.

This song is about events at the beginning of the British civil war.

Source 1. Willa McClung Evans, in 'Henry Lawes: Musician and Friend of Poets,' 1941, pp. 223-226. M MS Add. 32343, fol. ii.

Connection: "The unnamed air figure 439 of Londons Farewell is clearly related to the eighteenth-century 'Put in all'" (Simpson).

Source 3: 1662 Rump Songs, I, p. 91, without tune directions.

1662
THE BEGGAR LAID HIM DOWN TO SLEEP
These lyrics are as yet unknown. But their title is given as the tune direction for a later version of 'Londons farewell', (above) so I think this 1662 tune could be identical to Henry Lawes Air above.

Source: 1662 Bodleian MS Rawl. poet. 71. i.e., 'Londons farewell' to the tune of 'The Beggar laid him down to sleepe'.

1662
DUKE OF NORFOLK

I am the Duke of Norfolk with a Hey with a Hey,
I am the Duke of Norfolk with a Hoe....
I am the Duke of Norfolk with a Hey tronony nony floe.

Source 1: Londons Farewell's refrain tags are preserved intact in a group of late seventeenth-century political ballads: 'I am the Duke of Norfolk.' (Simpson)

Source 2: Henry Lawes' "tune #439 [Londons Farewell] is just another variant of "Duke of Norfolk" and "John Anderson, My Jo", and Sound a Charge second version is the Duke of Norfolk variant" (John Ward in JAMS XX, p. 75, 1967)

Source 3: Olson also equates this tune with John Anderson, see (http://users.erols.com/olsonw)

 1649 Gerard Winstanley
LEVELLERS & DIGGERS

No tune was recorded with this song so these three tunes are modern compositions: 37DgFi.mid or 37DgDt.mid or 61Dig.mid

You noble Diggers all, stand up now, stand up now,
You noble Diggers all, stand up now,
The wast land to maintain, seeing Cavaliers by name
Your digging does maintain, and persons all defame
Stand up now, stand up now.

Your houses they pull down, stand up now, stand up now,
Your houses they pull down, stand up now.
Your houses they pull down to fright your men in town
But the gentry must come down, and the poor shall wear the crown.
Stand up now, Diggers all.

With spades and hoes and plowes, stand up now, stand up now
With spades and hoes and plowes stand up now,
Your freedom to uphold, seeing Cavaliers are bold
To kill you if they could, and rights from you to hold.
Stand up now, Diggers all.

Theire self-will is theire law, stand up now, stand up now,
Theire self-will is theire law, stand up now.
Since tyranny came in they count it now no sin
To make a gaol a gin, to starve poor men therein.
Stand up now, Diggers all.

The gentrye are all round, stand up now, stand up now,
The gentrye are all round, stand up now.
The gentrye are all round, on each side they are found,
Theire wisdom's so profound, to cheat us of our ground
Stand up now, stand up now.

The lawyers they conjoyne, stand up now, stand up now,
The lawyers they conjoyne, stand up now,
To arrest you they advise, such fury they devise,
The devill in them lies, and hath blinded both their eyes.
Stand up now, stand up now.

The clergy they come in, stand up now, stand up now,
The clergy they come in, stand up now.
The clergy they come in, and say it is a sin
That we should now begin, our freedom for to win.
Stand up now, Diggers all.

The tithes they yet will have, stand up now, stand up now,
The tithes they yet will have, stand up now.
The tithes they yet will have, and lawyers their fees crave,
And this they say is brave, to make the poor their slave.
Stand up now, Diggers all.

'Gainst lawyers and 'gainst Priests, stand up now, stand up now,
'Gainst lawyers and 'gainst Priests stand up now.
For tyrants they are both even flatt againnst their oath,
To grant us they are loath free meat and drink and cloth.
Stand up now, Diggers all.

The club is all their law, stand up now, stand up now,
The club is all their law, stand up now.
The club is all their law to keep men in awe,
But they no vision saw to maintain such a law.
Stand up now, Diggers all.

The Cavaleers are foes, stand up now, stand up now,
The Cavaleers are foes, stand up now;
The Cavaleers are foes, themselves they do disclose
By verses not in prose to please the singing boyes.
Stand up now, Diggers all.

To conquer them by love, come in now, come in now
To conquer them by love, come in now;
To conquer them by love, as itt does you behove,
For hee is King above, noe power is like to love,
Glory heere, Diggers all.

In 1649 there were two movements against Cromwell's capitalist policies. In the army the Leveller movement was crushed by three soldiers executed at Burford, Oxfordshire. Among the peasants the Diggers occupied St George's Hill, common land at Weybridge, Surrey, and cultivated it by joint labour. Despite harassment they struggled on until 1651 before they submitted.
Source: B:Palmer, R, A Ballad History of England, BT Batsford Ltd, 1979
See also "World Turned Upside Down"
Source 1: Digital Tradition

Source 2: E. A. White in JEFDSS IV says 'Sound a Charge' was probably used for Gerard Winstanley's 'The Digger's Carol' but gives only the 'Pills' version of "Put in all" for a tune (Olson).

Source 3: Peter Kennedy in Folksongs of Britain & Ireland says Bryn Cambron (Cambourne Hill) is a Cornish tune that goes back to 1649 The Digger's Song' (Barry Finn)

1663-1674
TOUCH AND GO: or, The French Taylor finely Trappan'd.

This Monsieur and his Mate met both together
In Venus School, not knowing t'one o'th tother,
But he poor fool, was a Cuckold made before
He could ascend the Chamber with his Whore:
Therefore I well may speak it without erring,
There's neither Barrel of them better Herrings.

Tune of, Sound a Charge, Sound a Charge, &c.

A Tayler in the Strand,
touch and go, touch and go,
Most finely was Trappan'd
touch and go,
His name I will not write,
Though by a cuning slight,
He was cornuted* quite,
And all was brought to light,
touch and go, touch and go.

He lately came from France,
touch, &c.
His Fortune to advance
touch, &c.
His Bodkin and his Thimble,
O he was wondrous nimble
And well he could distemble
When wenches he would wimble
touch, &c,

*cornute [from Latin cornu horn] : forked or having horns : a cuckold : a dilemma (Websters).

source <http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/ ballads/ballads.htm>


At length he spak all French
touch, &c.
And courted many a Wench
touch, &c.
But e'ere that it was long
He learnt the English tongue,
And after right or wrong
He fell to work Ding, Dong.
touch, &c.

At length his chance it was
touch, &c.
To marry with a Lass
touch, &c.
Who was both fair and free,
And kind, as kind might be,
And well they did agree
Whilst he had liberty:
touch, &c.

The Spring was in the prime,
touch and go, touch and go,
Before Cowcumber time,
touch and go,
When as he did pretend
To go to see a friend,
One afternoon to spend,
And this was all his end:
touch and go, touch and go,

When he abroad was gone, touch, &c.
She would not stay alone, touch, &c.
But straight she did provide,
A Gallant by her side,
And in her pomp and pride,
They in a Coach did ride: touch, &c.

The music is on my
Music page with midis, or on my
ABC page for that format

To tell you where they went,
It is not my intent
But sure they did resort
Where Venus kept his Court,
A while to play and sport,
And who can blame them fort:

Whilst they together were
The Taylor he came there,
And spake his Pedlers French
That he would have a Wench
Either on bed or bench
His nature of Love to quench

And then up stairs he went
To perfect his intent,
Where he his wife espy'd,
Close by a Gallants side,
Sit in her Pomp and Pride;
Then in a rage he cry'd:You arrand whore, he said,
Is this your private trade,
Since I am so forlorn
To catch you in the Corn,
You'd better ne're been born,
Then make me wear the horn.

The up his wife did start,
And said my dear Sweet-heart
You are as deep it'h mire,
As I am in the fire.
Therefore I you desire.
To mitigate your Ire:

Then down the stairs she flung,
But when the news was rung
The Taylor stampt and swore
As he had done before,
That such an Err and whore
Should ne're come in his door
touch and go, touch and go,

FINIS

LONDON, Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and J. Wright.


1674-79
THE POOR BENJAMINS' LAMENTATION for their sad loss at Sea, by Storms and Tempests

Play 36BoBe.mid
Captain Chilver's gone to sea
Hey, boys, O, boys,
With all his company, hey,
Captain Chilver's gone to sea
With all his company
In the brave Benjamin, O.

Thirty guns this ship did bear
Hey, boys, O, boys,
They were bound for Venice fair, hey,
Thirty guns this ship did bear
And a hundred men so clear
In the brave Benjamin, O.

[this earliest manuscript is damaged so partly illegible]

But by ill storms at sea
Hey, boys, O, boys,
Which [bred our misery, he]y,
But by ill storms at sea
Were [drove o' of th' way]
In the brave Benjamin, O.

We had more wind [than we could bear, ]
Hey, boys, O, boys,
Our ship it would not [steer, hey,]
We had more wind [than we could bear,]
Our [masts] and [sails did tear ]
In the poor Benjamin, O.

The [first] harm that we had
Hey, boys, O, boys,
I makes my heart so sad, hey,
The first harm that we had
We lost our fore-mast-head
O the poor Benjamin, O.

The seas aloud did roar
Hey, boys, O, boys,
We being far from shore, hey,
The seas no [favour shows]
Unto friends nor foes
O the poor Benjamin, O.

The next harm that we spied,
Hey, boys, O, boys,
Then we to heaven cried, hey,
Down fell our main-mast head
Which [struck our senses dead]
In the poor Benjamin, O.

Then we with seas were [crossed,]
Hey, boys, O, boys,
[And on the ocean tossed, hey,
Then] we with seas were [tossed,
Many a brave man was lost ]
In the brave Benjamin, O.

The next harm that we had,
Hey, boys, O, boys,
We had cause to be sad, hey,
The next harm that we had
We lost four men from the yard
In the poor Benjamin, O.

[Disabled] as I name,
Hey, boys, O, boys,
We were drove on the main, hey,
So the next harm we had
We lost our rudder's head
In the poor Benjamin, O.

Then we all fell to prayer,
Hey, boys, O, boys,
The Lord our lives would spare, hey,
Then we fell all to prayer
And at last he did hear
Us in the Benjamin, O.

Although we sailed in fear,
Hey, boys, O, boys,
The Lord our ship did steer, hey
Our prayers so fervent were
That we had passage clear
Into brave Plymouth Sound, O.

When we came in Plymouth Sound,
Hey, boys, O, boys,
Our hearts did then resound, hey,
When we came in Plymouth Sound
Our grief with joy was crowned
In the poor Benjamin, O.

When we came all on shore,
Hey, boys, O, boys,
[Every man at his door, hey,]
When we came all on shore
Our grief we did deplore
In the brave Benjamin, O.

You gallant young men all,
Hey, boys, O, boys,
'Tis unto you I call, hey,
Likewise brave seamen all
Lament the loss and fall
Of the poor Benjamin, O

Come my noble hearts of gold,
Ay boys, O boys
That on Neptune's waves
[have rolled], ay
Come my noble hearts of gold
Your ancient courage bold
Like the brave Benjamin, oh.

The early versions are broadsides from the Bodleian Library broadside collection: (1) Date: between 1674 and 1679 Printed London for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. Wright, and J. Clarke Don. b.13(5) (2) Date: between 1689 and 1709 Imprint: London: Printed by and for W.Onley. and sold by the booksellers Douce Ballads 1(16a)

Source: Oxford Book of Sea Songs, pp.44-46
Source: John Ashton's REAL SAILOR SONGS 1891.

Source: Olsons broadside ballad index ZN464 and ZN465 lists the known early copies and three books that have reprinted the text.

PLAY 36BoBe
Some say this tune is similar to Spanish Ladies so that may be its root. PLAY 41SpL1.mid


1850-1907
BOLD BENJAMIN
This military version of the same tune was noted by H.E.D. Hammond from the singer, Mr Taunton of Corscombe in Devon who learnt it from a Man-O-War's man in 1850.

Now, Admiral Cole has gone to sea,
Oh, me boys, ohh!
Now, Admiral Cole has gone to sea-o!
Brave Admiral Cole has gone to sea
With all our good ship's company,
On board the Bold Ben-ja-min, ohh!

We set sail for France and Spain,
Oh, me boys, ohh!
We set sail for France and Spain-o!
We set sail for France and Spain,
Our gold and silver to regain,
On board the Bold Benjamin, oh!

We set sail five hundred men,
Oh, me boys, ohh!
We set sail five hundred men-o!
We set sail five hundred men,
And we've come back but fifty-one,
They was lost on Bold Benjamin, oh!

And as we drew near Blackwall,
Oh, me boys, ohh!
And as we drew near Blackwall-o!
And as we drew near Blackwall,
Admiral Cole, loud did call:
"Here comes the Bold Benjamin, oh!"

Hear the mothers weeping for their sons,
Oh,me boys, ohh!
Hear the mothers weeping for their sons-o!
Hear the mothers weeping for their sons,
And the widows for their husbands,
They was lost on Bold Benjamin, oh!

Source 1: The Journal of the Folk Song Society (Vol. III No. 11, 1907).

Source 2: The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs, it date back to the 1850's.

Source 3: Midi of tune is as given in the Penguin Book.

Source 4: ZN464 in Olson's broadside ballad index. See also ZN465 "Captain Hume is gone to sea".
<www.erols.com/olsonw>

It has been recorded by Royston and Heather Wood

Owen McBride, Sarah Gray & The Friends of Fiddlers Green played it something like this in 1968 in East Lansing MI.
D G D G D
Now, Admiral Cole has gone to sea,
A D A
Oh, me boys, ohh!
D G D G D
Now, Admiral Cole has gone to sea-o!
G D G D A
Brave Admiral Cole has gone to sea
D G D A D A
With all our good ship's company,
D G D G D G D A/D
On board the Bold Ben-ja-min, ohh!

1794 Hector McNeil
GERMANY THOMAS
My Love's In Germanie

My love's in Germanie, send him hame, send him hame
My love's in Germanie, send him hame
My love's in Germanie, fighting for Royalty
He'll ne'er his Jeannie see, send him hame, send him hame
He'll ne'er his Jeannie see, send him hame
2
He's brave as brave can be, send him hame, send him hame
He's brave as brave can be, send him hame
He's brave as brave can be, he'd rather fa' than flee
His life is dear tae me, send him hame, send him hame
His life is dear tae me, send him hame
3
I fear he'll ne'er come hame, Wullie's slain, Wullie's slain
I fear he'll ne'er come hame, Wullie's slain
He'll ne'er come o'er the sea, tae his love and ain countrie
This warld's nae mair for me, Wullie's gane, Wullie's gane
This warld's nae mair for me, Wullie's slain
4
My love's in Germanie, send him hame, send him hame
My love's in Germanie, send him hame
My love's in Germanie, fighting for Royalty
He'll ne'er his Jeannie see, send him hame, send him hame
He'll ne'er his Jeannie see, send him hame.

Mr Graham wrote that Hector MacNeil wrote these words in 1895 "to the tune 'Ye Jacobites by Name' in his "Songs of the North". See 'Songs of Scotland', I, p. 28. Scots Musical Museum: However the tune of "Ye Jacobites" postdates Germanie Thomas for Hogg in 'Jacobite Relics II' 1821, 22 gives a political song 'Aikendrum' of circa 1715 the tune there being"My Luve's in Germanie".

PLAY 42GerB

Source: Henry's Songbook <http://mysongbook.de/msb/songs/m/mylovesi.html> 2004

Source: <http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm? threadid=33093>

This version of Germany Thomas has been recorded recently by:
The Tannahill Weavers <www.tannahillweavers.com/>
and in 1976 by Silly Wizard (Xtra 1158):Johnny Cunningham, Gordon Jones, Bob Thomas, Andy Stewart, Alistair Donaldson on bass, and Freeland Barbour on box.

1885
GERMANY THOMAS
Oh! my Love's in Germany

PLAY 42GerB

Oh, my love's in Germany, Send him hame, send him hame,
Oh, my love's in Germany, Send him hame.
Oh, my love's in Germany,
Lang leagues O' land and sea
Frae Westrey and frae me, Send him hame, send him hame.
Oh, my love's in Germany, Send him hame.

Oh, weary fa' the war, Send him hame, send him hame,
That tysed my love sae rar, Send him hame.
Oh, were he hame again,
How blythe we'd be and rain,
But he's rar ayont the main, Send him hame, send him hame.
Oh, my love's in Germany, Send him hame.

Oh, wad some birdie say, Send him hame, send him hame,
To my sodger far away, Send him hame.
How lonely sighs his May,
Conntin' year and month and day,
For oh! her heart is wae, Send him hame, send him hame.
Oh, my love's in Germany, Send him hame.

To see the printed score for up to three treble voices and two bass go to <http://www.electricscotland.com/history/germany/germany_thomas.htm> Source: Wolfgang Schlick
Source: Col. David Balfour's 'Ancient Orkney Melodies', Edinburgh: Ballantyne-Hanson, 1885.

Orkney's tradition is that the lyrics above were composed 1630-36 by Colonel Thomas Traill, of Holland (High-land farm) the Laird of Papa Westray. Orkney had a run of bad harvests 1623-36, so many enlisted with the King of Sweden, Gustavus Adolphus, in his recruiting drive for the Protestant side in the Thirty Years War. Countless Scots mercenaries, including eighty-four captains, fought 1630-48 for Sweden allied with East Germany and Austria versus the Catholic Habsburg nations of Europe.

In his 1947 book "Pirate Laureate" William Bonner said that Anne Gilchrist, a scholar of English folk song, traced the Captain Kidd tune back to Germany Thomas, an old Scottish ballad.

For score and discussion see my Music page
or my ABC page.

MENTRA GWEN, neu Cwynfau y Wraig Weddw (Venture Gwen, or the Plaint of the Widow) as sung in North Wales
PLAY 48GwFt

Y fwyn garedig ferch, mentra Gwen, mentra Gwen,
Lie rhoddias i fy serch, mentra Gwen;
Gwaith dyn wyf fi mewn galar,
Yn ffacia cerdded daear,
O'th gariad di'r fun hawddgar;
Rwy'n deisyf cael dy ffafar, mentra Gwen, mentra Gwen.

The gentle beloved maid, Venture Gwen, Venture Gwen,
Where I have placed my love, Venture Gwen,
'Cause I'm a man in sorrow,
Failing to walk the earth,
For the love of thee, sweet maiden, Venture Gwen, Venture Gwen.

"In the song Captain Kidd students of folk song now recogize the pattern of a well defined old Welsh ballad "Mentra Gwen, neu Cwynfau y Wraig Weddw: Venture Gwen, or the Plaint of the Widow" (Bonner 1947).

Perhaps Mentra Gwen is not a particular song but a rhyming structure and meter. The tunes do bear a similarity to Captain Kidd, but unfortunately we can't prove what Mentra Gwen was descended from or how old it is. It was first mentioned in 1717 by Richard Moms.

MENTRE GWEN
New Lyrics by John Ceiriog Hughes (1832-1887) 
PLAY 43GwLt.mid
1
Amdanat ti mae son, Wennaf Wen, Wennaf Wen,
O Fynwy fawr i Fon Wennaf Wen;
I'r castell acw heno,
Rhaid iti droi a huno,
Hen deulu iawn sydd ynddo, Da ti mentra, mentra Gwen!
2
O'th flaen mae mynydd maith, Wennaf Wen, Wennaf, Wen,
Gwell iti dorri'th daith Wenaf Wen,
Wel yn fy mraich gan hynny,
Yr awn gan benderfynu,
Fod yn y casgtell lety; Da ti mentra, mentra Gwen!
3
Fi piau'r castell hwn, Wennaf Wen, Wennaf Wen,
Ti elli fyw mi wn, Wennaf Wen,
Y wraig yng Nghastell Crogen,
I'w barchu af a'i berchen;
A chymer fi'n y fargen, Da ti mentra, mentra Gwen!

Source <ligtel.com/~wales/Welshmusic> Bob Penry
Source <http://llyfrgell.cymraeg.org/songs/> David Wood says the author of the words above was John Ceiriog Hughes.

Hear other versions of Venture Gwen, also in ABC format.

1700 JACK HALL or CHIMNEY SWEEP or COMING DOWN

As a child Jack Hall had been sold to a chimney sweep for a guinea, and In 1701 was hanged for petty burglary. The tune for the broadside is unknown, but we have Cecil Sharp's traditional version in Songs from Somerset, iv, #86. (Olson).
Jack Hall is probably the tune referred to as 'Chimney Sweep' in 'Pills to Purge Melancholy' published 1719, where it is used for for 'Moderators Dream', a song that has the same metre (Olson).
"Tedburn Hill","Sam Hall","Samuel Small","Tallow Candles","Song of a Doomed Man" are all other names for "Jack Hall" (Olson).

Play midi file by Lesley Nelson Burns:01JhCn.mid

JACK HALL

0 my name it is Jack Hall, chimney sweep, chimney sweep
0 my name it is Jack Hall, chimney sweep
My name it is Jack Hall and I've robbed both great and small
And my neck shall pay for all when I die, when I die
And my neck shall pay for all when I die
2
I have candles, lily-white, hanging high, hanging high
I have candles, lily-white, hanging high
I've candles, lily-white, and I stole them all by night
And they'll fill my room with light till I die, till I die
And they'll fill my room with light till I die
3
I have twenty bullocks in store, that's not all, that's not all
I have twenty bullocks in store, that's not all
I've twenty bullocks in store and I'm up for twenty more
Every rogue shall have his lot, so shall I, so shall I
Every rogue shall have his lot, so shall I
4
I have furnished all my rooms, lot by lot, lot by lot
I have furnished all my rooms, lot by lot
I've furnished all my rooms with black brushes and black brooms
And besides a chimney pot which I stole, which I &ole
And besides a chimney pot which I stole
5
They tell me that in gaol I'll go dry, I'll go dry
They tell me that in gaol I'll go dry
They tell me that in gaol I shall drink no more small ale
But be hanged if ever I fail till I die, till I die
But be hanged if ever I fail till I die
6
I rode up Tedburn Hill in a cart, in a cart
I rode up Tedburn Hill in a cart
I rode up Tedburn Hill, there I stopped and made my will
Saying the best of friends must part, so must I, so must I
Saying the best of friends must part, so must I
7
Up the ladder I did grope, that's no joke, that's no joke
Up the ladder I did grope, that's no joke
Up the ladder I did grope and the hangman pulled the rope
But the devil of a word I spoke, coming down, coming down
But the devil of a word I spoke, coming down.

source: Folksongs of Britain and Ireland, Song No.322. Kennedy says it's also same tune as the Diggers Song.

1833-1851 JACK HALL

Play 29JhUp

My name it is Jack Hall, chimney sweep, chimney sweep,
My name it is Jack Hall, chimney sweep,
My name it is Jack Hall,
And I rob both great and small,
But my life must pay for all,
When I die, when I die.
But my life must pay for all,
When I die.

I've furnished all my room, that's no joke, that's no joke.
I've furnished all my room, that's no joke.
I've furnished all my room,
Both with shovels and birch brooms,
Besides a chimney pot, that I stole,
That I stole, that I stole,
Besides a chimney pot that I stole.

I sold candles in the Jail, short of weight, short of weight,
I sold candles in the Jail, short of weight.
But the candles that I sold,
They would light me to the hold,
They would light me to the hold,
Where I lay, where I lay,
They would light me to the hold,
Where I lay.

They told me in the Jail, I should die, I should die.
They told me in the Jail, I should die,
Oh! they told me in the Jail,
I should drink no more brown ale,
But the ale will never fail,
More shall I, more shall I,
But the ale will never fail,
More shall I.

As we goes up Holborn Hill, in a cart, in a cart.
As we goes up Holborn Hill, in a cart;
As we goes up Holborn Hill,
At St. Giles we did fill,
Then for old Tyburn
We depart, we depart,
Then for old Tyburn
We depart.

The ladder and the rope went up and down, up and down.
The ladder and the rope went up and down,
Oh! the ladder and the rope,
My collar bone they broke,
And a devil a word I spoke come down,
Coming down, coming down,
And a devil a word I spoke
Coming down.

Source: Bodleian Ballads Harding, B.15(145a) London: Birt, 1833-51.
Source: <http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/ballads/ballads.htm> 2004

Jack Hall is the earliest tune with a historical connection to Captain Kidd, and even that tenuous link was not widely accepted until recently.

One Hundred English Folksongs. No.81
JACK HALL

Oh my name it is Jack Hall, Chimney sweep, chimney sweep,
Oh my name it is Jack Hall, chimney sweep.
Oh my name it is Jack Hall, And I've robb'd both great and small,
And my neck shall pay for all, When I die, when I die,
And my neck shall pay for all when I die.

I have twenty pounds in store, that's no joke, that's no joke,
I have twenty pounds in store, that's no joke.
I have twenty pounds in store, And I'll rob for twenty more,
And my neck shall pay for all, When I die, when I die,
And my neck shall pay for all when I die.

O they tell me that in goal I shall die, I shall die
O they tell me that in goal, I shall die.
O they tell me that in goal I shall drink no more brown ale,
But be dash'd if ever I fail, Til I die, til I die
But be dash'd if ever I fail till I die.

O I rode up Tyburn Hill In a cart, in a cart
O I rode up Tyburn Hill in a cart.
O I rode up Tyburn Hill, And 'twas there I made my will,
Saying, "The best of friends must part, So, farewell, so, farewell."
Saying, "The best of friends must part, So, farewell."

Up the ladder I did grope, that's no joke, that's no joke
Up the ladder I did grope, that's no joke.
Up the ladder I did grope, and the hangman spread the rope,
O but never a word said I, coming down, coming down,
O never a word said I coming down.

Source: Sharp, One Hundred English Folksongs 81
Source: <http://www.contemplator.com/england/jackhall.html>

1989
JACK HALL
by Steeleye Span

Oh my name is Jack Hall, Jack Hall
Oh my name is Jack Hall, Jack Hall
My name is Jack Hall and I've robbed both great and small
And my neck shall pay for all, when I die.

I've twenty pounds in store and that's not all
I've twenty pounds in store and that's not all
I've twenty pounds in store and I'd kill for twenty more
And my neck shall pay for all, when I die.

Oh I rode up Tyburn Hill in a cart
Oh I rode up Tyburn Hill in a cart
Oh I rode up Tyburn Hill and 'twas there I made my will
Saying the best of friends must part, so farewell.

Up the ladder I did grope, that's no joke
Up the ladder I did grope, that's no joke
Up the ladder I did grope and the hangman spread his rope
but never a word I spoke, coming down.

"Jack Hall, who had been sold to a chimney sweep for a guinea, was executed for burglary at Tyburn (Marble Arch) in 1701... the passage of time and the oral tradition made a hero out of a loser"
Source: "Tempted and Tried" by Steeleye Span, 1989, Shanachie No.64020.
Source: 'A 20th Anniversary Celebration' 1989. video.
Source: 'The Classic Twenty Fifth Anniversary Tour Concert' video1994.
Source: 'Steeleye Span in Concert' CD 1994.

Source: <zierke@informatik.uni-hamburg.de>
They say their words are traditional, but their music is by Bob Johnson. [What Bob made of the tune I would love to hear, DK].


NOTE: This is when Captain Kidd was written: 1701.
For the words to 'Captain Kidd' see my lyrics page.
For a discussion of the music see my 'music' page.

in 1708 'Put in All' was a dance, to the tune of Sound a Charge, but in 1714, in Pills to Purge Melancholy V, it became
'A SONG' by Thomas D'Urfey and others:
PLAY 24PtPi.mid

A Young Man and a Maid, put in all, put in all,
Together lately play'd, put in all;
The Young Man was in Jest,
0 the Maid she did protest:
She bid him do his best, put in all, put in all.
2
With that her rowling Eyes, put, &c.
Turn'd upward to the Skies, put, &c.
My Skin is White you see,
My Smock above my Knee,
What wou'd you more of me, put, &c.
3
I hope my Neck and Breast, put, &c.
Lie open to your chest, put in all,
The Young Man was in heat,
The Maid did soundly Sweat,
A little farther get, put, &c.
4
According to her Will, put, &c.
This Young Man try'd his Skill, put in all;
But the Proverb plain does tell,
That use them ne'er so well,
For an Inch they'd take an Ell, put, &c.
5
When they had ended sport, put, &c.
She found him all too short, put in all;
For when he'd done his best,
The Maid she did protest,
'Twas nothing but a Jest, put in all, put in all.

Source: Pills to Purge Melancholy 1714, volume V.
This song is a rude word-play by the stuttering poet Thomas D'Urfey on the title of a popular dance tune from Walsh, Hare, and Randle's 24 Country Dances for 1708.

ROYAL NEWS

"Royal news, Royal news, uses the same tune as"Put in all" (Simpson).

1720 Pills to Purge Melancholy 1719-20, VI p.251.
THE MODERATORS DREAM [play26ChSm]

"In an harangue between the Ghost of Queen BESSE, and the Genius of GREAT BRITAIN: Occasioned by the Disappointment of the Burning the Pope, and the Mobb's Procession on the 17th of November. The Words made to a pretty Tune, call'd Chimney Sweep.
1
WHEN Soll to Thetis Pool, Save the Queen, save the Queen,
Rode down his Head to cool, Save the Queen:
Close by a purling Stream,
That might give a Poet Theam;
I Slept, and had a Dream, Save the Queen, save the Queen.
2
Methought Queen BESSE arose, Save the Queen, &c.
From Mansion of Repose, Save the Queen:
The Genius of our Land
Came in too at her command,
And thus Harangue maintain'd, Save the Queen, &c.
3
Genius.
What mean you, awful Shade, Save the Queen, &c.
When such Results are made? Save the Queen:
When Concord is confest,
And comes Post from East to West,
What makes you leave your Rest? Save the Queen, &c.
4
The Queen's Speech.
The Sovereign then reply'd, the Queen, save the Queen,
E'er since the time I dy'd, Save the Queen:
My Praise aloft did mount,
Till now late on strange Account,
I've had a vile Affront; Save the Queen, &c.
5
The Day of high Renown, Save the Queen, &c.
That long my Fame did Crown, Save the Queen;
My Friends old Rome to shame,
A most glorious show did Frame,
In Honour of my Name; Save the Queen, &c.
6
A Po'e did Gay appear, Save the Queen, &c.
St. George was likewise there, Save the Queen:
A Dev'l of graceful Size,
Like himself without disguise,
Stood by to give Advice; Save the Queen, &c.
7
Four Cardinals in Caps, Save the Queen, &c.
Four Monks with bloated Chaps, Save the Queen:
Four Capuchines in Bays,
And to make the People gaze,
Two Hundred Lights to blaze; Save the Queen, &c.
8
But when 'twas to be shown, Save the Queen, &c.
In Splendour o're the Town, Save the Queen, &c.....

Source: Thomas D'Urfey's Wit and Mirth: Or, Pills to Purge Melancholy.


1715
AIKENDRUM

Ken ye how a Whig can fight, Aikendrum, Aikendrum
Ken ye how a Whig can fight, Aikendrum
He can fight the hero bright, with his heels and armour tight
And the wind of heavenly night, Aikendrum, Aikendrum
Is not Rowley in the right, Aikendrum!

Did ye hear of Sunderland, Aikendrum (etc.)
That man of high command, who has sworn to clear the land
He has vanished from our strand (etc.)
Or the eel has ta'en the sand, Aikendrum.

Donald's running round and round (etc)
But the Chief cannot be found, and the Dutchmen they are drowned
And King Jaime he is crowned (etc.)
But the dogs will get a stound, Aikendrum

We have heard of Whigs galore (etc.)
But we've sought the country o'er, with cannon and claymore,
And still they are before (etc.)
We may seek forevermore, Aikendrum!

Ken ye how to gain a Whig (etc.)
Look Jolly, blythe and big, take his ain blest side and prig,
And the poor, worm-eaten Whig (etc.)
For opposition's sake you will win!

This song is about the battle of Sheriffmuir 1715 to the tune My Luve's in Germanie (42) Source: Hogg 'Jacobite Relics II' 1821, p.22 ff. Source: Bertrand H. Bronson, Samuel Hall's Family Tree,California Folklore Quarterly 1943, p.61. who cites the shorter tune "My Luve's in Germanie (56)".

AIKEN DRUM

Aikendrum (one word) is not the same song as the common Aiken Drum (two words): "There was a man cam frae the moon...An' they ca'ed him Aiken Drum." for that is sung to a different tune Aiken Drum 47AkCe or Aiken Drum 47AkNh that sound nothing like Captain Kidd.

Source 1: G.F. Graham 'Songs of Scotland' Glasgow, J. Muir Wood, n.d. [1848-9], III.26-7. Graham, born in 1789, notes that the air was sung in his boyhood "to ludicrous but unmeaning stanzas, beginning [as above].
Source 2: Halliwell NRE 1842, p. 33 (li), no provenance.
Source 3: Chambers PRS 1870, 41, with music.
Source 4: Chambers SNR 98 no. 120; two stanzas only, with music.

 

1746 in The Battle of Falkirk Garland
YE JACOBITES BY NAME
Play 19JbBo.midi arranged by David Kidd

"printed in the year 1746. An Excellent new Song on the Jacobites, and the Opression of the Rebels. To the Tune of, Captain Kid'."

You Jacobites by Name, now give Ear, now give Ear,
You Jacobites by Name, now give Ear;
You Jacobites by Name, your Praise I will proclaim,
Some says you are to blame for this Wear.

With the Pope you covenant, as they say, as they say,
With the Pope you covenant, as they say,
With the Pope you covenant, and Letters there you sent,
Which made your Prince present to array.

Your Prince and Duke o'Perth, where they go, where they go,
Your Prince and Duke o'Perth, where they go,
Your Prince and Duke o'Perth, they're Cumb'rers o' the Earth,
Causing great Hunger and Dearth where they go.

He is the King of Reef, I'll declare, I'll declare,
He is the King of Reef, I'll declare,
He is the King of Reef, of a Robber and o' Thief,
To rest void of Relief when he's near.

They marched thro' our Land cruelly, cruelly,
They marched thro' our Land cruelly,
They marched thro' our Land with a bloody thievish Band
To Edinburgh then they wan Treachery.

To Preston then they came, in a Rout, in a Rout,
To Preston then they came, in a Rout;
To Preston then they came, brave Gard'ner murd'red then.
A Traitor did command, as we doubt.

To England then they went, as bold, as bold,
To England then they went, as bold;
To England then they went, and Carlisle they ta'en't,
The Crown they fain would ha'en't, but behold.

To London as they went, on the Way, on the Way,
To London as they went, on the way,
To London as they went, in a Trap did there present,
No battle they will stent, for to die.

They turned from that Place, and they ran, and they ran,
They turned from that Place, and they ran;
They turned from that Place as the Fox, when Hounds do chace.
They tremble at the Name, CUMBERLAN'.

To Scotland then they came, when they fly, when they fly,
To Scotland then they came, when they fly,
To Scotland then they came, and they robb'd on every Hand,
By Jacobites Command, where they ly.

When Duke William does command, you must go, you must go;
When Duke William does command, you must go;
When Duke William does command, then you must leave the Land,
Your Conscience in your Hand like a Crow.

Tho' Carlisle ye took by the Way, by the Way;
Tho' Carlisle ye took by the Way;
Tho' Carlisle ye took, short Space ye did it Brook,
These Rebels got a Rope on a Day.

The Pope and Prelacy, where they came, where they came,
The Pope and Prelacy, where they came;
The Pope and Prelacy, they rul'd with Cruelty,
They ought to hing on high for the same.

Source: The Battle of Falkirk Garland 1746
Source: Bruce Olson Scarce Songs 1

You can hear my old friend Owen Hand sing his arrangement
of Burns Ye Jacobites by name [play OwenHand.AIFF 190k]
on his 1966 Transatlantic album "I loved a Lass" rereleased with "Something New" in 1999 by Pier Records as CD PIERCD 502.

1792
YE JACOBITES BY NAME
by Robert Burns
Play this stirring arrangement by Barry Taylor 10JbTa.mid

1
Ye Jacobites by name, give an ear, give an ear,
Ye Jacobites by name, give an ear,
Ye Jacobites by name,
Your fautes I will proclaim,
Your doctrines I maun blame, you shall hear.
2
What is Right, and What is Wrang, by the law, by the law?
What is Right and what is Wrang by the law?
What is Right, and what is Wrang?
A short sword, and a lang,
A weak arm and a strang, for to draw.
3
What makes heroic strife, famed afar, famed afar?
What makes heroic strife famed afar?
What makes heroic strife?
To whet th' assassin's knife,
Or hunt a Parent's life, wi' bluidy war?
4
Then let your schemes alone, in the state, in the state,
Then let your schemes alone in the state.
Then let your schemes alone,
Adore the rising sun,
And leave a man undone, to his fate.

Source: <http://www.robertburns.org/works/345.shtml>2004
Robert Burns familiar song only borrows the first verse of the 1746 version above.

The music for most of these songs is on my
Music page with midis, or on my
ABC page for that format

1702-1720
COME ALL YOU SAILORS BOLD or ADMIRAL BENBOW

Come all you seamen bold
and draw near, and draw near,
Come all you seamen bold and draw near.
It's of an admiral's fame,
O brave Benbow was his name,
How he fought all on the main,
you shall hear, you shall hear.

Brave Benbow he set sail
For to fight, for to fight
Brave Benbow he set sail for to fight.
Brave Benbow he set sail
with a fine and pleasant gale
But his captains they turn'd tail
in a fright, in a fright.

Says Kirby unto Wade:
We will run, we will run
Says Kirby unto Wade, we will run.
For I value no disgrace,
nor the losing of my place,
But the enemy I won't face,
nor his guns, nor his guns.

The Ruby and Benbow
fought the French, fought the french
The Ruby and Benbow fought the French.
They fought them up and down,
till the blood came trickling down,
Till the blood came trickling down
where they lay, where they lay.

Brave Benbow lost his legs
by chain shot, by chain shot
Brave Benbow lost his legs by chain shot.
Brave Benbow lost his legs,
And all on his stumps he begs,
Fight on my English lads,
'Tis our lot, 'tis our lot.

The surgeon dress'd his wounds,
Cries Benbow, cries Benbow
The surgeon dress'd his wounds, cries Benbow.
Let a cradle now in haste,
on the quarterdeck be placed
That the enemy I may face
'Til I die, 'Til I die.

09AbVc

09AbFi


John Benbow was the son of a tanner of Shropshire who became Admiral. Leading his fleet into battle with the French in the West Indes all but one of his captains refused to pursue as ordered. Only The Ruby pursued with Benbow until it was disabled and Benbow was terribly wounded. When they returned to Jamaica he had two of the captains court-martialed and shot and two suspended before he died of his wounds in 1702.

Book source
1: The earliest printing of Come all you Seamen Bold with music was in The Vocal Enchantress 1783.Book source
2: Cecil Sharp's version was noted from Captain Lewis of Minehead in 1906, but Sharp altered it and added material from an unspecified source.

Source: Copper Family setFile source 1: <http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=56280>File source 2 <http://www.contemplator.com/sea/benbow.html>

ADMIRAL BENBOW

There is another song called ADMIRAL BENBOW that is in quite a different meter. It starts:We sailed to Virginia, and then to Fayal.
We watered our shipping, and so we weighed all.
Being in view of the seas boys, seven sail we did espy
So we hoisted our tops'ls, and sailed speedily.


08AbTf See <http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=56280> and <http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=2169>And there's yet another version that has more verses at <http://bodley24.bodley.ox.ac.uk/>.

1796-99            Midi File: 32ShvVG.mid
THE SHAN VAN VOCHT

"Plans were made for a French descent into Munster to serve as signal for an Irish rising. Hoche, a genuine republican, was given command, and in December, 1796, set out from Brest with some 15,000 soldiers. Bad weather and poor seamanship held the fleet off Bantry Bay and separated Hoche wholly from his command. The French sailed off without touching Irish soil. Next year the rebellion began without French aid." Brinton, Crane. A Decade of Revolution. New York Harper and Row, 1934 (p.241)
In 1799 two more attempts were launched.


"The title is literally 'The Poor Old Woman.' This was a 'secret' name for Ireland, like 'Roisin Dubh' (the little Dark Rose) and Kathleen ni Houlahan (Kathleen the daughter of Houlahan). These 'secret' names were given partly to hide what might be thought a seditious element in the utterance, and partly because of the Gaelic liking for what is esoteric and symbolic. The Shan Van Vocht is a peasant song made at the time when the Irish were expecting help from revolutionary France, in 1798."

File source 1: http://www.bartleby.com/250/43.html
File source 2: http://members.tripod.com/~MargKeig/index-2.html

Midi File: 32ShvVG.mid
Source 4: http://www.alltabs.com
Source 5: http://members.tripod.com/
~MargKeig/index-2.html
Source 6: http://www.quinnipiac.edu/other/abl/ etext/irish/pictures/p103.html
Source 7: http://it.geocities.com/agape3it/
shan_van_vocht.html>source: http://www.uhb.fr/ langues/cei/shanvan.htm> Bienvenue au Centre d'Etudes Irlandaises de l'Universite Rennes.

The Irish excell in giving us different arrangements of ths same tune: Shan Van Vocht Reel (32ShVR) is also available as a Hornpipe. (32ShVH.mid)

Also in 2001 Davy Rogers gave us an excellent arrangement for guitar open tuning (32ShvD) Source www.alltabs.com/print/.rogers/theshanvanvocht.htm

Oh ! the French are on the sea,
Says the Shan Van Vocht;
The French are on the sea,
Says the Shan Van Vocht;
Oh ! the French are in the Bay,
They'll be here without delay,
And the Orange will decay,
Says the Shan Van Vocht.
chorus
Oh ! the French are in the Bay,
They'll be here by break of day,
And the Orange will decay,
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

And where will they have their camp ?
Says the Shan Van Vocht ;
Where will they have their camp ?
Says the Shan Van Vocht
On the Curragh of Kildare,
The boys they will be there,
With their pikes in good repair,
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

To the Curragh of Kildare
The boys they will repair,
And Lord Edward will be there,
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

Then what will the yeomen do?
Says the Shan Van Vocht
What will the yeomen do ?
Says the Shan Van Vocht
What should the yeomen do
But throw off the Red and Blue,
And swear that they'll be true
To the Shan Van Vocht ?

What should the yeomen do
But throw offthe red and blue,
And swear that they'll be true
To the Shan Van Vocht ?

And what colour will they wear
Says the Shan Van Vocht
What colour will they wear
Says the Shan Van Vocht
What colour should be seen
Where our fathers' homes have been,
But our own immortal Green
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

What colour should be seen
Where our fathers' homes have been,
But our own immortal Green
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

And will Ireland then be free
Says the Shan Van Vocht
Will Ireland then be free ?
Says the Shan Van Vocht
Yes ! Ireland shall be free,
From the centre to the sea
Then hurrah for Liberty !
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

Yes ! Ireland shall be free,
From the centre to the sea
Then hurrah for Liberty !
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

Book source: Padraic Colum (1881-1972) Anthology of Irish Verse.

1801
CAMBORNE HILL
or Bryn Cambron     
PLAY 28ChKe Source:Digital Tradition

Goin' up Camborne Hill comin' down,
Goin' up Camborne Hill comin' down
The hosses stood still,
The wheels turned aroun'
Goin' up Camborne Hill comin' down

White stockins, white stockins she wore,
White stockins, white stockins she wore,
White stockins she wore,
White stockins she wore,
Goin' up Camborne Hill comin' down


In 1801 the draft horses at Camborne were set aside when Richard Trevithick's new steam locomotive, puffing out white clouds of steam, pulled its first train of passengers up the hill.

Comment: Inglis Gundry's Canow Kernow: the song wasn't written in Cornish but was translated, as are nearly all Peter Kennedy's Cornish songs, by Talek a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd (Baz 1998).

Source: <http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?thread sid=4167>

Comments: Peter Kennedy in 'Folksongs of Britain & Ireland' says this Cornish tune goes back to The Digger's Song of 1649. But I think the use of the words "Coming Down" more obviously links it to Jack Hall of 1700.

BENJAMIN BOWMANEER
PLAY BOWMN.MID

Do you know how the wars began, Benjamin Bowmaneer?
Do you know how the wars began, Castors away?
Do you know how the wars began,
when England fought to a man,
And the proud tailor rode prancing away?

Of his shear board he made a horse, Benjamin Bowmaneer
Of his shear board he made a horse, castors away
Of his shear board he made a horse,
All for him to ride across.
And the proud tailor rode prancing away

Of his scissors he made bridle bits, Benjamin Bowmaneer
Of his scissors he made bridle bits, castors away
Of his scissors he made bridle bits,
to keep his horse all in his wits
And the proud tailor rode prancing away

And as he rode o'er the lea, Benjamin Bowmaneer
And as he rode o'er the lea, castors away
And as he rode o'er the lea,
he spied a flea all on his knee
And the proud tailor rode prancing away

Of his needle he made a spear, Benjamin Bowmaneer
Of his needle he made a spear, castors away
Of his needle he made a spear,
and pierced the flea all in his ear
And the proud tailor rode prancing away

Of his thimble he made a bell, Benjamin Bowmaneer
Of his thimble he made a bell, castors away
Of his thimble he made a bell,
and tolled the flea's funeral knell
And the proud tailor rode prancing away

And that's how the wars began, Benjamin Bowmaneer
And that's how the wars began, castors away
And that's how the wars began,
when England fought to a man
And the proud tailor rode prancing away

Source: Ralph Vaughan Williams and A. L. Lloyd The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs (London 1959), pp.20-21.

Source: Joe Hickerson : The New Golden Ring, Five Days Singing, Vol. I FSI-42.

THE PROUD TAILOR
PLAY PROUDT.MID

I can tell you how the world begun,
Benjamin Boglegun,
Tell you how the world begun,
Low cast away,
I can tell you how the world begun,
Nine tailors make a man.
Still the proud tailor went prancing away,
And still the proud tailor went prancing away.

The tailor were sat at work
Picked a louse off his shirt.

With his needle he made a sword
Stabbed the louse on the board.

With his bodkin he made a gun
Shot the louse as he run.

With his scissors he made some shears
Snipped off the louse's ears.

With his thimble he made a bell
Rung the louse into hell.

Noted by James Madison Carpenter from Sam Bennett (1865-1951) of Ilmington in Warwickshire, some time between 1928 and 1935.

First published in Roy Palmer's Everyman's Book of British Ballads 1980, re-issued by Llanerch Press in 1998 as A Book of British Ballads.

Source: the South Riding Folk Network site

"There may be some relationship between Benjamin Bowmaneer and The Tailor and the Louse; this latter is a modernisation of The War-Like Taylor, which in turn derived from a mock-heroic piece by John Taylor, A Dreadful Battle between a Taylor and a Louse (c.1655: information from Claude M. Simpson, The British Broadside Ballad and Its Music, 1966). The tune originally prescribed was I am the Duke of Norfolk; Simpson gives two examples; the second one in particular seems to show some similarities to the Bowmaneer tune, but that could just be my imagination" Malcolm Douglas 2002.

1813 DAVY LOUSTON, a song of sealers
DAVY LOUSTON 1 46DLFi
DAVY LOUSTON 2 46DLDt =46DLMc

The Active went from Port Jackson, December 11th, 1808, and having landed her people on an island about a mile and a half from the main of New Zealand, sailed again for this port, but doubtless perished by the way, and has never since been heard of. The men who were left on the island were reduced to the necessity of subsisting for nearly four years upon the seal, when in season, and at other times upon a species of the fern, parts of which they roasted or boiled, and other parts were obliged to eat undressed, owing to a nauscea it imbibed from any culinary process. They were left upon the small island with a very scanty allowance of provisions, and the Active was to come to Port Jackson for a further supply. They had a whale-boat, and their only edged implements consisted of an axe, an adze, and a cooper's drawing knife. In a short time they procured 11,000 skins....

In hopes of finding upon the main some succour, which the small island did not afford, they went thither, but were nearly lost by the way, as some of the lower streaks of the boat were near falling out, owing, as was imagined, to the nails being of cast iron. On their safe arrival, however, they found an old boat on a beach, which it subsequently appeared had been left there by Mr. Grono on a former voyage. With the aid of this additional boat, when both repaired, they projected an excursion towards some of the more frequented sealing places, and were on the point of setting out when a tremendous hurricane in one night destroyed the boats, and put an end to their hope of relief. The only nutritive the place afforded was a species of the fern root, resembling a yam when cut and possessing some of the properties of the vegetable. This could only be procured at a distance of six or seven miles from their hut, which was near the sea-side, and had it been plentiful would have been a desirable substitute for better diet; but it was unfortunately so sparingly scattered amongst other shrubs as to be found with difficulty; and they solemnly affirm that they have for a week at a time had neither this nor any other food whatever. With the assistance of a canoe made up of seal-skins, a party visited their former island, and found their stocks of skins much injured by the weather, but did all they could for their preservation. This was their only seal depot, and out of the usual season they now and then found a solitary straggler, in some instances when they were so reduced by famine as to be scarcely capable of securing those that Providence threw in their way.

 With their axe, adze and cooper's drawing knife they afterwards built a small boat, but with intense labour, as without saws they could only cut one plank out of each tree. The hoops upon their provision casks were beaten into nails; and by the same patient and laborious process they at length projected the building of a small vessel, and had provided 80 half-inch boards for the purpose, all cut in the way above described. Truly a feat of great perseverance. The fortunate accident of Mr. Grono touching there has however preserved them from further suffering and peril, of which they have had full store, on that exposed and inhospitable shore. (Sydney Gazette, 23 Dec 1813)

DAVY LOUSTON, a song of sealers

DAVY LOUSTON 3 46DLJb = 46DLNz

Davy Lowston
Oh my name is Davy Lowston, I did seal, I did seal.
My name is Davy Lowston, I did seal.
Though my men and I were lost, though our very lives it cost
We did seal, we did seal, we did seal

We were set down in Open Bay, we were set down, were set down
We were set down in Open Bay, we were set down
We were left we gallant men, never more to sail again
For to seal, for to seal, for to seal.

Our Captain John Bedar he set sail, he set sail.
Our Captain John Bedar he set sail
"I'll return, men, without fail". But she foundered in a gale,
And went down, and went down, and went down.

We cured ten thousand skins for the fur, for the fur.
We cured ten thousand skins for the fur.
Brackish water, putrid seal, we did all of us fall ill,
For to die, for to die, for to die.

Come all you sailor lads who sail the sea, sail the sea,
Come all you jolly tars who sail the sea,
Though the schooner Governor Bligh took on some who did not die
Never seal, never seal, never seal.

Source: New Zealand Folksongs: Song of a Young Country. Neil Colquhoun (1972)


1848
The Famine Song or
Praties They Grow Small

play 33PraM.midi

Oh the praties they grow small, over here (2x)
Oh the praties they grow small
And way up in Donegal
We eat them skins and all, over here, over here
We eat them skins and all, over here.

Oh I wish that we were geese, night and morn, (2x)
Oh I wish that we were geese
Till the hour of our release
When we' d live and die in peace, stuffing corn, stuffing corn
When we' d live and die in peace, stuffing corn.

Oh, they'll grind us into dust, over here (2x)
Oh, they'll grind us into dust,
But the Lord in whom we trust
Will return us crumb for crust, over here, over here
Will return us crumb for crust, over here.


Source: Patrick Galvin, Irish Songs of Resistance, p.44
MIDI source: http://sniff.numachi.com/~rickheit/dtrad

The Irish excell in giving us different arrangements of ths same tune: Praties they Grow Small" above is also available as a hornpipe: 33PraH.

Refers to the great Irish potato famine of 1847-1848 when the people did have to eat potatoes "tops and all".
Oddly enough, this song is probably a parody of a a serious song. S. Foster Damon in his Series of Old American Songs has a facsimile of a sheet music print of it issued by Atwill, New York, in 1844, with the title 'The Wonderful Song of "Over There" '


Next is an adaptation to the purpose of regional satire of the widely known Praties they grow small.
Potatoes they grow small

[play the hornpipe version from Patrick Galvin's book]

Oh the taters they grow small in Arkansas..../
Oh, the girls grow tall in Kansas..../
Now they say to drink's a sin in Kansas..../
Oh the roosters they lay eggs in Arkansas..../
Oh they bake a polecat pie in Arkansas..../
So come all who want to roam in Kansas..../

source: Belden: Ballads and Songs Collected by the Missouri Folk-Lore Society
Source: <http://www.mudcat.org>
Hudson reports it as sung in Mississippi (FSM 216-7), but without any regional application; and Spaeth has it in Read 'em and Weep 33-4. Cray suggests that "In Kansas" came before "In Mobile."

1849 in Harding's Bodleian Ballads
SAM HALL

Now my name is Samuel Hall,
Samuel Hall, Samuel Hall
Oh my name is Samuel Hall, Samuel Hall
Oh my name is Samuel Hall,
and I hate you one and all
You're a bunch of mucker's all, blast your eyes,
You're a bunch of mucker's all, blast your eyes.

Now I killed a man they said
So they said, so they said
Oh I killed a man they said, Yes they said
I killed a man they said
And I left him layin dead
Cause I bashed his bloody head, blast his eyes.
Caused I bashed his bloody head, blast his eyes.

Now they put me in the quad
In the quod, In the quad
Oh they put me in the quad, in the quad
Oh they put me in the quad
and they left me there by God
Fastened to a bloody chain rod, blast their eyes.
Fastened to a bloody chain rod, blast their eyes.

Now the preacher he did come
He did come, he did come
Oh the preacher he did come he did come
Oh the preacher he did come
And he looked so doggone glum
As he talked of Kingdom Come, blast his eyes.
As he talked of Kingdom Come, blast his eyes.

And the sheriff he come too
He come too, he come too
Oh the sheriff he come too he come too
Oh the sheriff he come too
With his yellow boys and blue
Sayin Sam I'll see you through, blast your eyes.
Sayin Sam I'll see you through, blast your eyes.

Oh it's up the rope I go I go I go
It's up the rope I go I go
Oh it's up the rope I go
While you critters down below
Are sayin Sam I told you so, blast your eyes.
Are sayin Sam I told you so, blast your eyes.

Oh it's swingin I must go
I must go I must go
It's a swingin I must go, I must go
It's a swingin I must go
Just because she loved him so
Just because she loved him so, blast her eyes.
Just because she loved him so, blast her eyes.

I must hang until I'm dead
Til I'm dead, Til I'm dead
I must hang until I'm dead
I must hang until dead
Caused I killed a man they said
And left him layin dead, blast his eyes.
And left him layin dead, blast his eyes.

source <http://www.contemplator.com/england/samhall.html>
Lyrics adapted to the music from a newsgroup post

These lyrics were written for or by an English comic minstrel, C.W. Ross.
J. W. Ebsworth in 'Roxburghe Ballads', VIII, p. 856 and p. 669 says Ross sang "Sam Hall" at the Cider-Cellars, Maiden Lane, London, in 1849 (Olson). Although Bodleian Ballads reprinted Jack Hall at time of W. G. Ross they were not his words, but his performance inspired its republication (Q on 07).

PLAY 13ShCh.mid

 

JOHNNY HALL

A charming C19th Irish County Tyrone tune for the same song.

Play 54JoHL.mid

Source: Petrie Collection No. 747. Bronson, Bertrand H. California Folklore Quarterly, 1942 p. 51

1960 Audio sung by May Kennedy McCord
SAM HALL
PLAY 13ShMc.mid

My name it's Sam Hall, tis Sam Hall
O, my name it is Sam Hall, Sam Hall
O, my name it tis Sam Hall
An' I hate you one an' all
Yes, I hate ya one an' all
God-damn your eyes

O, I killed a man they say, so they say
O, I killed a man they say, so they say
O, I shot 'im in th head
An' I left 'im there for dead
Goddam his eyes

O th sherriff he came to, he came too
O th sherriff he came to, he came too
With his little boys in blue
He said, Sam, I'll see you through
He said, Sam, I'll see ya through
_____ dam his eye

O, th preacher he came to, he came too
O, th preacher he came to, he came too
He ___ _ treated 'im bum
An' he spoke of kingdom come

Saw Nelly in th crowd, in th crowd
Saw Nelly in th crowd, in th crowd
An' she looked so goddam proud
That I hollered right out loud
O, Nelly, ain't you proud
Goddam your eyes

So, it's up th rope I go, up I go
O, it's up th rope I go, up I go
An' those bastards down below
They said, Sam, I told ya so
Goddam their eyes

Source <http://www.smsu.edu/folksong/maxhunter/0552/index.html> Cat. #0552 (MFH #0594)>As sung by May Kennedy McCord, Springfield, Missouri on October 21, 1960 .


1969 Audio sung by Roy 'Wrinkle' Winkler
SAM HALL
PLAY 13ShWi.mid

O, my name it is Sam Hall, it is Sam Hall
O, my name it is Sam Hall, said Sam Hall
My name it is Sam Hall, and I hate you one an' all
Yes, I hate you one an' all, blast your hide

I killed a man they said, so they said
Killed a man they said, so they said
I killed a man, they said, an' I smashed in his head
An' I left 'im a lay'in dead, blast his hide

A swing'n I must go, I must go
A swing'n I must go, I must go
A swing'n I must go, from your fears down below
Hollered, Sam I told you so, blast your hide

I saw Molly in th crowd, in th crowd
I saw Molly in th crowd, in th crowd
I saw Molly in th crowd, and I hollered right out loud
Hey, Molly ain't ya proud, blast your hide

Th sherriff he come too, he come too
Th sherriff he come too, he come too
Th sherrif he come too, with his little boys in blue
Say'in, Sam I'll se ya thru, blast his hide

My name it is Sam Hall, Sam-u-el
My name it is Sam Hall, Sam-u-el
My name is Sam-u-el, and I'll see you all in -wah-hah-hah-hah
And I hope that you roast well, woe-me-lass, ya-wa-ree

source <http://www.smsu.edu/folksong/maxhunter/0836/index.html>
Cat. #0836 (MFH #594) As sung by Roy 'Wrinkle' Winkler, Mountain View, Arkansas on August 26, 1969 .

1999 by Boston Bill   
SAM HALL

Now my name is Samuel Hall,
Samuel Hall, Samuel Hall
Oh my name is Samuel Hall, Samuel Hall
Oh my name is Samuel Hall,
and I hate you one and all
You're a bunch of mucker's all
blast your eyes.
You're a bunch of mucker's all
Blast your eyes.

Now I killed a man they said
So they said, so they said
Oh I killed a man they said
Yes they said
I killed a man they said
And I left him layin dead
Cause I bashed his bloody head
Blast his eyes.
Caused I bashed his bloody head
Blast his eyes.

Now they put me in the quod
In the quod, In the quod
Oh they put me in the quod, in the quod
Oh they put me in the quod
and they left me there by God
Fastened to a bloody chain rod
Blast there eyes.
Fastened to a bloody chain rod
Blast there eyes.

Now the preacher he did come
He did come, he did come
Oh the preacher he did come he did come
Oh the preacher he did come
And he looked so doggone glum
As he talked of Kingdom Come
Blast his eyes.
As he talked of Kingdom Come
Blast his eyes.

And the sheriff he come too
He come too, he come too
Oh the sheriff he come too he come too
Oh the sheriff he come too
With his yellow boys and blue
Sayin Sam I'll see you through
Blast your eyes.
Sayin Sam I'll see you through
Blast your eyes.

Oh it's up the rope I go I go I go
It's up the rope I go I go
Oh it's up the rope I go
While you critters down below
Are sayin Sam I told you so
Blast your eyes.
Are sayin Sam I told you so
Blast your eyes.

Oh it's swingin I must go
I must go I must go
It's a swingin I must go, I must go
It's a swingin I must go
Just because she loved him so
Just because she loved him so
Blast her eyes.
Just because she loved him so
Blast her eyes.

I must hang until I'm dead
Til I'm dead, Til I'm dead
I must hang until I'm dead
I must hang until dead
Caused I killed a man they said
And left him layin dead
Blast his eyes.
And left him layin dead
Blast his eyes.

<http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=12150> 1999

The music for all these songs is on: Music page with midis, or on
ABC page for that format

1972 Paul and Vinnie Lawler sing
SAM HALL

Now my name is Sam Hall, Chimney Sweep, Chimney Sweep
Oh my name is Sam Hall, Chimney Sweep
Oh my name is Sam Hall,
And I I rob both rich and small
But me neck will pay for all whem I die, when i die.
Yes me neck will pay for all whem I die

I have twenty Pounds In store Thats not all, Thats not all,
I have twenty Pounds In store, Thats not all
I have twenty Pounds In store,
and I'll rob for tweny more
Oh the rich must help the poor so must I, so must I
Oh the rich must help the poor so must I

Now I killed a man they said, so they said, so they said
Oh I killed a man they said, so they said
Oh I killed a man they said I bashed in his bloody head
And I left him bloody dead
Blast his eyes damn his Soul
And I left him bloody dead, Blast his eyes

Ah They took me to Cooth Hill In a cart, in a cart
Ah They took me to Cooth Hill In a cart
Ah They took me to Cooth Hill and I stopped to make me will
Oh The best of friends must part so must I, so must I
Oh The best of friends must part so must I

Up the ladder I did Grope that's no joke, that's no joke,
Up the ladder I did Grope that's no joke
Up the ladder I did Grope and the hangman pulled the rope
And ne're a word I spoke, tumblin' down, tumblin' down
And ne're a word I spoke, tumblin' down

Now my name is Sam Hall, Chimney Sweep, Chimney Sweep
Oh my name is Sam Hall, Chimney Sweep
Oh my name is Sam Hall,And I hates yers one and all
You're a bunch of bastards all
Blast your eyes. Damn your souls
You're a bunch of bastards all, Blast your eyes.

Source: <http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=12150>(Ted).
Source: In Darwin Paul and Vinnie Lawler introduced this as a music hall song


Alternatives:
They tell me that in jail I'll go dry, I'll go dry
They tell me that in jail I shall drink no more small ale,
But be hanged if e'er I fail, Till I die, till I die

I have candles lily white, hanging high, hanging high
I have candles lily white and I stole them all by night
They shall fill my room with light, Till I die, till I die

They say he stabbed his wife
But it wasn't with a knife ...

Source: Bill Galbraith's "Tedburn Hill":
<http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=12150> (Steve Parkes 2002)

Alternatives:
"Ross's version was acclaimed as being pretty dreadful (and thus very popular). "Muckers" is not the original word! "Quod" is slang for prison (Steve Parkes 1999).

Oh, they tell me that in gaol That's no jouk, that's no jouk
Oh, they tell me that in gaol That's no jouk.
Oh, they tell me that in gaol I shall drink no nut-brown ale
But be damned if ever I fail, Comin' down!

<http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=51308>
(Dave Oesterreich 2002 In The Mudcat )

More alternatives:
Oh, the preacher he did come,
And he talked till Kingdom Come;
he can kiss my bloody bum, blast his eyes!

I sees Molly in the crowd,
And I hollers right out loud:
Molly, ain't you bleedin' proud? Blast your eyes!

And "muckers" is a euphemism for "an oath so terrible".
Source: Steve Parkes 2002 In The Mudcat

IN MOBILE
[play30InMb.mid]

There's no paper in the bogs in Mobile,
There's no paper in the bogs in Mobile,
There's no paper in the bogs
So they wait until it clogs
And they saw it into logs in Mobile.
chorus
In Mobee-l, In Mobee-l,
Imo, imo, imo, imobe-e-e-eele,
Ah souls, Ah souls, Aa-a-h souls.

 

I will not type the dirty verses, but there is one good thing about this scurrilous variation of our tune: it has a chorus with a different melody! That provides a welcome bridge, a relief from the tedium of the verse tune (David Kidd 2004.

Source: the Men's bar of Newcastle University Student Union in 1964.

see: <http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=12150>

The greater familiarity of the song Captain Kidd to Americans seems due to the religious revivalism of the early 19th Century. At the camp meeting in the Western States under the baton...of itinerant preachers...the enthusiastic singing of stirring hymns...this wildfire religious movement. Camp songbooks appeared, and the "camp meeting hymn" had appeared by 1811 as a distinct type of American song: the spiritual folksong....often dealing with the rescue of sinners. The American version of the Kidd ballad is embelished for this purpose. So "for seventy years or more Kidd was...on the road to heaven" (Bonner). However all these songs are a line longer because they repeat the last line.

1800-1853
THROUGH ALL THE WORLD BELOW
marked to the tune of "Captain Kidd"
PLAY 12WbSo.mid

Through all the world below, God is seen, all around.
Search hills and valleys through, There he's found.
The growing of the corn, The lily and the thorn,
The pleasant and forlorn, All declare, God is there:
In meadows dressed in green, There he's seen.
2
See springs of water rise, Fountains flow, rivers run;
The mist below the skies Hides the sun;
Then down the rain doth pour The ocean it doth roar,
And dash against the shore, All to praise, in their lays,
That God that ne'er declines His designs.
3
The sun, to my surprise, Speaks of God as he flies;
The comets in their blaze Give him praise;
The shining of the stars The moon as it appears
His sacred name declares; See them shine, all divine!
The shades in silence prove God's above.
4
Then let my station be Here on earth, as I see,
The sacred One in Three All agree;
Through all the world is made, The forest and the glade;
Nor let me be afraid, Though I dwell on the hill,
Since nature's works declare God is there.

Source: 1800 Mercer's Cluster p. 498.
Source: 1810 Thomas Hynde's Pilgrim Songster.
Source: 1853 William Walker's Southern Harmony no. 50.
Source:<www.ccel.org/s/southern_ harmony>

The music for all these songs is on: Music page with midis, or on
ABC page for that format

1835 Southern Harmony
WONDROUS LOVE
"to Captain Kidd"
PLAY 12WbSo.mid

What Wondrous Love is this, oh my soul, oh my soul,
What Wondrous Love is this, oh my soul,
What Wondrous Love is this, that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, oh my soul, oh my soul;
When I was sinking down, oh my soul;
When I was sinking down, beneath God's righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb, who is the great I Am,
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

1851 Richard Weaver's Tune Book
FAREWELL YE BLOOMING YOUTH
and
COME YE THAT FEAR THE
LORD, UNTO ME

"Come ye that fear the Lord, unto me, unto me...."

A similar tune for another song with the same structure:

SHE'LL BE COMING ROUND THE MOUNTAIN
play 44SheBA, 44ShBB, or 44ShBC

She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes,
She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes,
She'll be coming round the mountain,
Coming round the mountain
Coming round the mountain when she comes.

chorus:
Singing aye yaye yippee yippe yi
Singing aye yaye yippee yippe yi
Aye yaye yippee, aye yaye yippe
Aye yaye yippe yippe yi.

2
She'll be driving six white horses when she comes,
3
Oh, we'll all go down to meet her when she comes,
4
Oh, we'll kill the old red rooster when she comes,
5
We'll be having chicken and dump-lings when she comes,
6
We'll be singing Alleluia when she comes,
7
She'll be wear-ing pink pajamas when she comes....

Source: my memory of how it was sung in a movie, was it "Annie get your gun"?
Source: <http://abc.musicaviva.com/tunes/usa/
shell-be-coming-round-the.abc> Frank Nordberg.
Also three MIDI files.

 www.davidkidd.net
 WEBSITE CHAPTERS  
11. Music
12. Lyrics
13. ABCs
The music for all these songs is also on my ABC page for that format

SITES CITED
American Musicological Society <www.sas.upenn.edu/music/ams/>
CCEL<www.ccel.org/s/southern_harmony/>
Contemplator, Lesley Nelson-Burns <www.contemplator.com/>
Digital Tradition Mirror, Rick Heit <www.sniff.numachi.com/~rickheit/dtrad/>
The Roots of Folk, Bruce Olson <www.users.erols.com/olsonw/>
the Tannahill Weavers <www.tannahillweavers.com/> 2004
Davy Rogers <www.alltabs.com/print/.rogers/theshanvanvocht.htm> 2001
The Jolly Rogers<www.chivalry.com/jollyrogers/>
The Mudcat Café<www.mudcat.org/threads.cfm>
Pier Records <www.worldserpent.demon.co.uk>

BOOKS CITED

Source: Bonner, William Hallard Pirate Lauriate. Rutgers University Press. 1947. ISBN: 1299849849 ISBN-13: 9781299849846
Bronson, Bertrand H. Samuel Hall's Family Tree,California Folklore Quarterly 1943.
Cray, Ed. The Erotic Muse:American Bawdy Songs. Illinois: University, 1992. ISBN 02 52067 894.
Davidson, P. Songs of the British Music Hall. New York: Oak Embassy, 1971.
Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society
Journal of Welsh Folksong Society
Peter Kennedy Folksongs of Britain & Ireland
Oxford Book of Sea Songs
Reed, Langford The Complete Limerick Book . New York. Putnam, 1925.
The Fireside Book of Favorite American Songs 1952 Simon & Schuster.
Vaughan Williams, Ralph and A. L. Lloyd The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs. London 1959

RECORDINGS CITED

Bold Benjamin by Royston and Heather Wood
Captain Kidd by Pete Seeger "Golden Ring", FSI-16, 1964
Captain Kidd by The Cowboy Junkies on 'Sun Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning' 1990 RCA PT 49288;
and on 'Cause Cheap Is How I Feel' 1991 RCA CD 2612-2-RDJ; and on 'Dead Flowers' 1992 HMV
Davy Lowston by Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick on "A Cut Above" on Byker Hill; by June Tabor
Germany Thomas by The Tannahill Weavers <www.tannahillweavers.com/>
Germany Thomas 1976 by Silly Wizard (Xtra 1158)
Jack Hall by Steeleye Span on "Tempted and Tried" 1989, Shanachie No.64020.
Jack Hall by Steeleye Span on 'Steeleye Span in Concert' CD 1994.
Ye Jacobites by Name by Owen Hand on "I loved a Lass" Transatlantic 1966
rereleased with "Something New" by Pier Records 1999 as CD PIERCD 502.

HISTORIC DOCUMENTS

D'Urfey, Thomas Wit and Mirth: Or, Pills to Purge Melancholy 1719.
Graham, G.F. Songs of Scotland. Glasgow, J. Muir Wood 1848-9.
Hogg Jacobite Relics II 1821.
Ravencroft, Thomas Melismata 1611
Walsh, Hare, and Randle 24 Country Dances for 1708.
Wedderburn brothers Gude and Godlie Ballates 1567.

INDEX
KIDD MUSIC
KIDD LYRICS
SONGS LIKE
SOURCES IN ABC