The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #2770   Message #11963
Posted By: Murray
08-Sep-97 - 02:57 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: The Plough-Boy (John O'Keefe)
Subject: ADD: The Ploughboy
Just in case you're still looking for the "Ploughboy" song, and even if you're not, it needs to be in the DT anyway, here's my transcription from the Benjamin Britten-Peter Pears record:

A flaxen-headed cow-boy, as simple as may be,
And next a jolly ploughboy, I whistled o'er the lea.
But now a saucy footman I strut in worsted lace,
And soon I'll be a butler, and whey my jolly face;
When steward I'm promoted, I'll snip the tradesman's bill,
My master's coffers empty, my pockets for to fill.
When lolling in my chariot, so great a man I'll be,
So great a man, so great a man, so great a man I'll be,
You'll forget the little ploughboy who whistled o'er the lea,
You'll forget the little ploughboy who whistled o'er the lea.

I'll buy votes at elections, and when I've paid my pelf,
I'll stand forth for the parliament, and then vote in myself.
Whatever's good for me, sir, I never will oppose,
When all my ayes are sold off, why then I'll sell my noes.
I'll joke, harangue and paragraph, with speeches charm the ear,
And when I'm tired on my legs, then I'll sit down a peer.
In court or city honour, so great a man I'll be,
So great a man, so great a man, so great a man I'll be,
You'll forget the little ploughboy who whistled o'er the lea,
You'll forget the little ploughboy, who whistled o'er the lea.

-- it's a rather pungent commentary on the (then) awful system of elections for parliament. Not that times have changed that much!!

Hope this suits. Susan & Co., please add this gem to the database. Britten's arrangement has to be heard, though, it's really delightful.