Seeking information on song melody- Whitby tailor

Subject: Looking for information on melody-Whitby Tailor
From: Johnny J
Date: 21 May 24 - 07:55 AM

I thought it better to start a new thread re this although it is partly connected to my query re "Recipe For Life"(Men from Drumnadrochit).

The melody of the above song is very familiar and has also been used for other songs notably "The Whiby Tailor"

Basically, I'm wondering is whether or not the “tune” has a life of its own? Or an original melody from which the “song” versions are derived. It is very catchy and has been used for, I'd imagine, several songs.

Thanks for your help so far. Here’s a recording to help

https://youtu.be/FolJ6c5yyHQ

I've also enquired on The Session.org re this but have had no response so far.

Subject: RE: Looking for information on song melody
From: Johnny J
Date: 22 May 24 - 06:34 AM

I'll keep this one to the fore now and again . Just in case.
:-)

Subject: RE: Seeking information on song melody- Whitby tailor
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 23 May 24 - 10:50 AM

See The Brisk Young Tailor aka The Tailor's Britches on the Yorkshire Garland website yorkshirefolksong.net

There are oddly only 3 versions of the song from tradition. The Whitby version is from Arthur Wood of Littlebeck and Middlesborough and the other 2 are fragments from the south coast collated by Frank Purslow in Marrow Bones. I would have been highly suspicious of the Whitby version no doubt very much enhanced by Arthur himself had it not been recorded from him by Nigel Hudleston well before the Purslow book was published.

The tune appears to be related to a broadside ballad set in Hull also on that website called 'The Bonny Scotch lad and his Bonnet so Blue.'

Subject: RE: Seeking information on song melody- Whitby tailor
From: Johnny J
Date: 23 May 24 - 11:41 AM

Thanks for that Steve..

It does appear to be the same tune.

I see you have made a recording too..

https://www.yorkshirefolksong.net/song.cfm?songID=80


I see you have made a recording too..