Lyrics & Knowledge Personal Pages Record Shop Auction Links Radio & Media Kids Membership Help
The Mudcat Cafesj

Post to this Thread - Sort Descending - Printer Friendly - Home


Origins: Nottamun Town

DigiTrad:
FAIR NOTTAMUN TOWN


Related thread:
LYR ADD: Lies, Brags, Marvels adventures, sig (5)


Philippa 12 Sep 99 - 02:27 PM
John Hindsill 12 Sep 99 - 03:34 PM
12 Sep 99 - 03:47 PM
12 Sep 99 - 04:03 PM
12 Sep 99 - 04:42 PM
Alan of Australia 13 Sep 99 - 12:15 AM
GeorgeH 13 Sep 99 - 12:46 PM
13 Sep 99 - 11:51 PM
guinan@informatik.uni-freiburg.de 14 Sep 99 - 10:51 AM
Philippa 14 Sep 99 - 11:03 AM
Doug Olsen 14 Sep 99 - 04:37 PM
14 Sep 99 - 05:32 PM
14 Sep 99 - 06:11 PM
Martin _Ryan 14 Sep 99 - 06:41 PM
14 Sep 99 - 09:02 PM
Alan of Australia 15 Sep 99 - 02:48 AM
Philippa 15 Sep 99 - 06:53 AM
GeorgeH 15 Sep 99 - 08:24 AM
Jane Bird 15 Sep 99 - 12:07 PM
Jim Dixon 21 Mar 08 - 03:01 PM
Jim Dixon 21 Mar 08 - 03:02 PM
dulcimerjohn 21 Mar 08 - 03:46 PM
Big Al Whittle 21 Mar 08 - 03:51 PM
GUEST,Steve Gardham 21 Mar 08 - 04:32 PM
Darowyn 22 Mar 08 - 11:01 AM
Goose Gander 23 Mar 08 - 05:32 PM
Goose Gander 24 Mar 08 - 03:59 PM
Goose Gander 21 Sep 08 - 05:07 PM
pavane 23 Sep 08 - 03:26 AM
Steve Gardham 23 Sep 08 - 03:29 PM
Steve Gardham 23 Sep 08 - 06:17 PM
Share Thread
more
Lyrics & Knowledge Search [Advanced]
DT  Forum Child
Sort (Forum) by:relevance date
DT Lyrics:







Subject: Info request - Nottamun Town
From: Philippa
Date: 12 Sep 99 - 02:27 PM

It's in the database okay, but there are no background notes. What is the derivation and function of this odd song?


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From: John Hindsill
Date: 12 Sep 99 - 03:34 PM

Philippa-- Your choice of the word "odd" seems quite apt. Here is what I found in the commentary of the booklet which accompanied the "The Folk Box," Elektra, 1964.

Jean Ritchie calls it "[a] strange combination of nonsense words and ethereal tune." It is her opinion that its origin is in the Mummers' Plays of England. It almost has the feel of a 60s psychedelic trip!

Incidentally, the air was used by Bob Dylan for his words, "Masters of War".

Hope this gets you on the road to its origins.---John


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From:
Date: 12 Sep 99 - 03:47 PM

I knew that but I want to know more!


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From:
Date: 12 Sep 99 - 04:03 PM

"Nottamun Town" or "Nottingham Fair" seems to be derived from "Teague's Ramble" in the Scare Songs 1 file at www.erols.com/olsonw. "Paddy Backward" is an imitation of "Teague's Ramble" without direct borrowing of lines. See the Irish tunes index at the same website for an early title for the tune "Teague's Ramble", and sources of copies of the tune.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From:
Date: 12 Sep 99 - 04:42 PM

The "Nottingham Fair" version is in Randolph's 'Ozark Folksongs', II, #446; six verses with tune. A bawdy parody collected by Randolph is given under the same title in Randolph-Legman's 'Roll Me In Your Arms', #83 (same tune given).


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 13 Sep 99 - 12:15 AM

Thanks Bruce.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From: GeorgeH
Date: 13 Sep 99 - 12:46 PM

I don't want to appear pessimistic (as if I could!!), but I've seen this discussed several times, and never ended up any the wiser. Best just regard it as a find song . . It amazes me how powerful (emotionally) it is, despite its meaning being obscure.

Mind you, not as powerful as Martin Simpson's performance of "Masters of War" . . .

G.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From:
Date: 13 Sep 99 - 11:51 PM

Here's a bit of prose, from the 17th century, along the same lines as "Nottamun Town" and "Teague's Ramble". See also "Tom Tell-truth" and notes of traditional versions at the file and website noted above

        It was the last Monday Morning at four o'clock in the afternoon before Sun-rise, going over High-gate Hill in a Boat; I met with a man I overlooked, I asked him, if the Old Woman was dead that was drowned at Ratcliff Highway a fortnight ago; He told me he could not tell; But if I went a little further, I should meet with two men a Horse-back on a mare, in a Blew jerkin, and a pair of Freestone Breeches, & they would give me true intelligence, so when I came up with the fellows, they thought I was a Hector which came to rob them, and therefore ran from me, but I furiously pursued before them. Their horse for haste died under them, so that one of them for madness drew forth his sword and kill'd him, the horse for vexation seeing himself dead, ran away as fast as he could, leaving them to go on foot upon another horse back Forth miles. Friends said I, I mean you no harm, but pray inform me whether or no the old Woman be Dead that was drownd at Ratcliff high-way a fortnight ago, they all told me they could not tell, but if I went a little further I should meet with two men driving an empty Cart full of Apples, & a millstone in the midst, and they would give me true Intelligence; but when I came up with them, they could not satisfie me neither, but told me if I went to the water side there lived one Sir John Vangs that would give me intelligence. So going up to ye water side; I hoopt & hollowed, but could make nobody see: At last I heard six country lads & lasses fast asleep, playing at ninepins under a Haycock made of Pease straw, in the midst of the Thames, & eating of rost bag pudding freezing hot; but at last I met with two Watermen, that carried me clean over the water, and landed me up to the knees in mud, and when we were in the midst of the Thames in Ratcliff High-way, one of the she-watermen espied a swan, and swore if she had it at home, it would make a Goose-pye....... [Initially a prose broadside in 1660, then later as a chapbook.]


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From: guinan@informatik.uni-freiburg.de
Date: 14 Sep 99 - 10:51 AM

I'm lookin for the lyrics of a song from Co. Wexford, in Ireland, which, as far as I recall, is set at the period of the 1798 rebellion. I first heard it sung by Paddy Berry, himself from Wexford. Can anybody help me?


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From: Philippa
Date: 14 Sep 99 - 11:03 AM

Guinan, what on earth does your request have to do with Nottamun town? Your asking in the wrong thread!/to the rest of you, thanks for your responses


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From: Doug Olsen
Date: 14 Sep 99 - 04:37 PM

Bert Jansch did a fine recording of Nottamun Town on the album "Jack Orion" ca 1970. I seem to recall that it's one of many English songs that died out in England and only stayed alive in Appalachia. And the answer to "What does it all mean?" is Mr Natural's answer (IMHO).


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From:
Date: 14 Sep 99 - 05:32 PM

The English have a good analogue.

"A shoulder of mutton jumped over from France" is very similar in style to "Nottamun Town". The verse form is identical. Contributed by Cecil Sharp to Journal of the Folk Song Society #20 (1916). Another version is "As I was going to Banbury", in Sharp, Vaughn Williams et. al., A Selection of English Folk Songs. It is also in Cecil Sharp's Collection of English Folksongs". This is a traditional form of "Tom Tell-truth" in the Scarce Songs 1 file at www.erols.com/olsonw [The traditional versions aren't there because I don't know if they are still copyrighted.]

A similar song in Gaelic is "Amhran na mBeag" (Nonsense Song) in The Journal of the Irish Folk Song Society, #20, p. 23, 1923.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From:
Date: 14 Sep 99 - 06:11 PM

A Shoulder of Mutton Jumped over from France.

As I was a-walking along in the fields
    Fal lal, lal-de-ro-lee.
As I was a-walking along in the fields
I saw St. Pauls' Steeple a-running on wheels
.     With a fal lal, lal-de-ro-lee.

On top of the Steeple, O what should I see
    Fal lal, lal-de-ro-lee.
On top of the Steeple, O what should I see
But a fine young sapling codling tree.
    With a fal lal, lal-de-ro-lee.

When the codlings were ripe they began to fall;
    Fal lal, lal-de-ro-lee.
When the codlings were ripe they began to fall;
They killed six thousand people and all.
    With a fal lal, lal-de-ro-lee.

They killed a man when he was dead
    Fal lal, lal-de-ro-lee.
They killed a man when he was dead
And sent for some people to look for his head.
    With a fal lal, lal-de-ro-lee.

And in his head they found a spring
    Fal lal, lal-de-ro-lee.
And in his head they found a spring
And twenty live salmon a-swimming within.
    With a fal lal, lal-de-ro-lee.

Each salmon was as big as an elf
    Fal lal, lal-de-ro-lee.
Each salmon was as big as an elf
If you want any more you must sing it yourself.
    With a fal lal, lal-de-ro-lee.

X:1
T:A Shoulder of Mutton Jumped over from France.
S:JFSS #20, 1916
Q:120
L:1/8
M:6/8
K:F
C|F3/2 F/ F D D D|G3/2 G/ G E3|A3F3|\
B3/2 A/ B >G2 G|A3/2 A/ G A A G|\
A3/2 A/ B .c2 C/ C/|F3/2 F/ F D D D|G A F E D C|\
F3D3|C3/2 D/ E F3|]


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From: Martin _Ryan
Date: 14 Sep 99 - 06:41 PM

Guinan (that wouldn't be "Jagger Guinan" by any chance?)

Asking for a 1798 song by Paddy Berry is a bit like asking for an aria from Pavarotti! Take Philipa's advice, start another thread, give us a bit more information and we'll see what we can do.

Regards


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From:
Date: 14 Sep 99 - 09:02 PM

Amhran na mBreag.
[JIFSS, #20, p. 23, 1923.]

Is greannmhar an an nídh do chím-se ar na bóithribh-
Eascú agus píob aici ag síor-cheóil dúinn,
An breac lughach sa' linn--och! ba mhín iad a bhróga,
Is an bhfeacabhair na caoire sa' gheimhridh ag buaint mhóa?
        Mangalum die dero, do dero, dílis é
        Bog do chos, croth do chos, téanam ag rinnce liom.

Dá bhfeicfá- s'an Mhangarta 'grafadh Mágh Cóna, [place not located
'San Dá Chích geal a 'tál bainne go leór uaidh,
An Seann-Drom ag pramhsaigh ar ghamhnaibh an Róistigh,
'Gus sailchid' is muc aigo 'dul léi do'n phóna!
        Cho.

Dá bhfeicafá-sa bricín ag breith coinín i bpoll leis,
Is nead ag an bhfuiseóg an ghanndail,
Cearc uisce ag crónán is ag buaint ceóil bhreagh as trompaí
'Gus madarua ar an dteinteán is an sraoilleán ag amhastruigh.
        Cho.

Dá bhfeicfá-sa an fhionnóg ar stuaic ag buaint biolair.
Is Gearán a mBráthar le n-a chárt ag tomhas mine,
An chearc is an bárdal idir an Spáineach is an Turcaigh
'Gus giorae agus bríste air ag ól fíona ar bórd luinge.
        Cho.

Dá bhfeicfá-sa Coraigh ag snámh i mbota bláthaighe,
Baile Átha Claith ag gabháil síar annso ag fiadhach ar Chnoc Áine,
Tigh Molaige ar dhá mhaide ag cur catha ar Phort Láirge
Is Cloch-na-Coillte ar mhuin dhá chaoirigh ag dul fo Muinntear Bháire.
        Cho.

Do chonnac-sa sceacha gan mhaidí gan deilgne,
Dhá mhadarna is iad gan chluasa gan earball,
Teampall ar fuaid gleannta is é ag damhas is ag eiteallaigh,
Is ní bréatgaí mé féinigh ná an té seo do chreidfeadh mé.
        Cho.

[Literal translation in JIFSS]

This is a comical thing that I see on the roads-
An ell with bag-pipes playing for us all the time,
The sportive trout in the pool- oh! what fine shoes he has,
And did you see the sheep in the winter cutting turf?

You should have seen Mangerton hoeing Magh Cóna,
And the lovely Paps giving copious milk.
Shandrum prancing on Roches' calves
And a snail leading a pig to the pound!

You should have seen a trout pulling a rabbit into his hole,
And the lark having a nest in the gander's beard,
A water-ben crooning and making fine music on the jew's harp
And a fox on the hearth, and the cricket barking.

You should have seen the crow on the hummock gathering watercress,
And Garrane-na-brahar with its quart-pot measuring meal, [horse of friar
The hen and the drake twixt the Spaniard and the Turk
And a hare with breeches on drinking wine aboard ship.

You should have seen Cork swimming in a tub of buttermilk,
Dublin travelling westward and hunting on Knoackany,
Timoleague on two sticks wagging war on Waterford [crutches
And Clonakilty on the back of two sheep going to Muinntear Bháire.

I saw thorn trees without branches or prickles,
Two foxes without ears or tails,
A church dancing and leaping all over the valleys,
And I am no liar, nor is the person who believes me.

X:1
T:Ambran na mBreag.
S:JIFSS #20, 1923
Q:120
L:1/4
M:3/4
K:D
A|FAA|ABA|ddd|cBA|d2d|BcA|B3/2 B/B|BB3/2B/|\
dcB|cBA|FAA|AFE|FBB|ccc|BBB|AFz||DDE|FB,B,|\
DCD|FB,B,|DED|FB,B,|DEF|EDD|]


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 15 Sep 99 - 02:48 AM

G'day,
Just to be a bit trivial, these songs always remind me of the old schoolground ditty "One fine day in the middle of the night".

Cheers,
Alan


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From: Philippa
Date: 15 Sep 99 - 06:53 AM

we're getting into the realm of nonsense songs in general, though I don't know how much this helps us deal with Nottamun town. The nonsense song that comes to my mind at present is "I'm here because I'm here" with verses such as
Never throw a brick at a drowning man
If you're close to a grocery store.
Just throw him a bar of Sunlight Soap
And he can wah himself ashore-i-ah
He can wash hinself ashore

I understand that song better than I do Nottamun town; the humour is quite clearly in the wordplay, the puns. And it doesn't have the haunting melody of Nottamun town - Bob Dylan choose well.

By the way, though I was curt with Guinan above; I did e-mail the interloper with suggestions on looking at the Wexford 1798 examples in the DT and at a songs of 1798 website, as well as a reminder of the usual protocol re starting new threads. I'd prefer this thread not to go too far off the tangent.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From: GeorgeH
Date: 15 Sep 99 - 08:24 AM

Philippa: Unless you're talking of a different "I'm here because I'm here" then surely it's unusual in being later than most of our nonsense songs (which might be expected to leave its words less confused). I know it as "We're here because we're here" and as a first (?) world war song; hence it's the humour of bored soldiers rather than somthing obscure?

But I could be wrong. I often am!

George


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Info request - Nottamun Town
From: Jane Bird
Date: 15 Sep 99 - 12:07 PM

Re: "As I Was A-going to Banbury", I always thought that the last verse was:

One of the Salmon as big as an elk.

However, I see from the version of this song in the database, and from the earlier quoted "A Shoulder of Mutton Jumped over from France", that it's probably "an elf". Is it just my bad hearing, or does any body else think they've heard an "elk" version of one of these songs?

Cheers,
Jane


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: Lyr Add: THE GRAY MARE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 03:01 PM

Here's a related song, from the Library of Congress American Memory collection:

THE
GRAY MARE.

As sung by Bob Hart, at the American Concert Hall, 444 Broadway, N. Y.

As I was a walking to Nottingham fair,
A riding on horseback upon a gray mare,
The mare it was black, but the divil a hair
But what was all yaller, upon the gray mare.

There was the King, the Queen and a couple of more,
A riding on horseback, a walking before;
The bells did ring and the people did stare,
To see a coach and six horses drawn by a gray mare.

It rained and it snowed, I stood out in the storm,
With my hat in my hand to keep my head warm.
The mare threw me into the ditch, but I mounted again,
And on my tiptoes rode o'er the plain.

I'll saddle the mare and to fishing I'll go,
To fishing I'll go whether or no.
If my wagon upsets and my fish it would spill,
I'll sell the gray mare, I'll be damned if I will.

H. DE MARSAN
DEALER IN SONGS TOY BOOKS &C.
No 54 CHATHAM. ST N.Y.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: Lyr Add: THE OLD GRAY MARE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 03:02 PM

Here's another version from the same collection:

THE OLD
GRAY MARE.

As Sung Originally by W. B. Cavanagh, Comedian, at Barnum's Museum.

As I was a going to Nottingham fair,
A riding on horseback upon a gray mare,
Her color 'twas black, but the divil a hair
But what was all yaller, upon my gray mare,

My baste she stood still an' pitched me into the 'ditch
My skin she did dirty, my clothes she did bruise,
But I scalded my saddle, an' I mounted again,
And on my tip-toes I rode over the plain.

But when I got there not a soul could I see,
The streets were a crowded a gazing at me;
The bells they did ring, an' the people did stare
For to see a coach an' six horses drawn by a gray mare.

There was the king, an' the Queen and a company more,
A riding on horseback, an' a walking before;
There stood a great drummer a bating the drum,
With his heels in his pockets before me did run.

Then it snowed, an' it blowed, an' it rained, an' I stood in the storm,
With my hat in my hand for to keep my head warm.
I axed Madam Paul if she'd fancy me now
As well as the day that I came from the plough.

Then I'll take my black horse, an' a fishing I'll go,
An' a fishing I'll go whether or no.
My fish it turned over, an' my wagon did spill,
I'll sell my gray mare--I'll be damned if I will.

H. DE MARSAN.
DEALER in SONGS TOY BOOKS &C.
No. 54 CHATHAM ST. N.Y.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Origins: Nottamun Town
From: dulcimerjohn
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 03:46 PM

Only versions I know are Jean's and Fairport's..Jean also does an old (probably Childe) 'old grey mare'..dulcimerjohn


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Origins: Nottamun Town
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 03:51 PM

I asked Ewan MacColl about this song. He said he thought it was about ritual and magic and the festival of fools.

he added the Hunchback of Notre dame was very good about the festival of fools.

I never read it. I'm just passing on his ideas.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Origins: Nottamun Town
From: GUEST,Steve Gardham
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 04:32 PM

Paddy Backwards is probably the most common title for this nonsense song, a very common genre of song in previous centuries.

All of these titles are used and they should be considered all one song.
Adam Ham Town
Crazy Song
Paddy's Ramble to London
Nottamun Town
I'm going up to London
Noddingham Town
The Lying Song
Fair Notamon
Fair Notamun Town
Fair Nottiman Town
Notamun Town
Nottaman Town
Nottingham Fair
Old Gray mare

Found on both sides of the Atlantic all of these versions seem to derive from the Pitts broadside 'Paddy's Ramble to London' of which unfortunately I haven't got a copy, but the first line is 'Said Paddy, In Ireland no longer I'd stay'. If anyone has a copy of the broadside text I'd certainly like to see it. Roud number BTW is 1044.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Origins: Nottamun Town
From: Darowyn
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 11:01 AM

I think that the salmon were "as big as an ell" or in modern terms, as long as your arm.
The old way of measuring cloth was to stretch it between arms length and your nose. The Anglo Saxon for arm is "ell" (hence "elbow" -the bend in the arm) so before yardsticks were standardised, you would buy cloth by the ell (from the most gorilla-like draper you could find)
Cheers
Dave


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Origins: Nottamun Town
From: Goose Gander
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 05:32 PM

This one from American Memory seems to be a variation of Nottamun Town . . .

THAT AWKWARD OLD SONG

Bill Jackson
Arvin, 1941

I went to the barn my steers to feed
-Did ever you hear that awkward old song?
I went to the barn my steers to feed
I fed 'em my saddle, hung up the feed
We'll all sing as awkward as ever we can.

I rode into town, walked all of the way
-Did ever you hear that awkward old song?
I rode into town, walked all of the way
I was stifled on dust for it rained all that day
We'll all sing as awkward as ever we can.

Met the king and the queen, their company was mine
-Did ever you hear that awkward old song?
Met the king and the queen, their company was mine
A-riding on horseback, a-leadin' behind
We'll all sing as awkward as ever we can.

It rained and it hailed, it blew a great storm
-Did ever you hear that awkward old song?
It rained and it hailed, it blew a great storm
Kept my hat on my arm to keep my head warm
We'll all sing as awkward as ever we can.

I rode the gray mare with a crease down her back
-Did ever you hear that awkward old song?
I rode the gray mare with a crease down her back
Not a hair on her that wasn't coal black
We'll all sing as awkward as ever we can.

I rode into town, not a soul did I see
-Did ever you near that awkward old song?
I rode into town, not a soul did I see
Ten thousand people was gazing at me
We'll all sing as awkward as ever we can.

The Roud Index lists it as 1706, with which I would disagree. Bill Jackson himself in the same collection sings Little Fat Boy/When I Was A Little Boy as Fast as I Could Wad which is much more obviously a variant of Roud 1706.

Or so it seems to me.

But I'm to Easter celebrations with the family now!


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Origins: Nottamun Town
From: Goose Gander
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 03:59 PM

To hear Nottamun Town sung by Jean Richie, click here and scroll down (track #16).


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Origins: Nottamun Town
From: Goose Gander
Date: 21 Sep 08 - 05:07 PM

Adam Ham Town as sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on August 8, 1969.

I'm on my way for Adam Ham town
Foot or horse back or on a gray mare
With a blaze down 'er face an' streak down 'er back
Wasn't a hair on 'er but what was cold black

She bucked an' she pitched an' she throwed me in th ditch
Dirtyed my clothes an' tore up my skin
From th stirrups to th saddle I mounted her again
With my ten toes I rode 'er on th plain

Met th thief an' th company to
Ridin before an' leadin behind
Stark naked drummer, beatin his drum
With his heels in his pockets, before he run

I asked 'im th place that I didn't know where
Made 'im so mad he scarcely looked down
It made 'im so mad he scarcely looked down
But he told me th way for Adam Ham town

When I got there not a soul could I see
Streets were as crowed, laughin at me
Laughin and funin an' make'n their games
My shoes were wore out an' my feet was lame

Set myself down on a hot brimstone
Ten thousand gathered 'round me, I found myself alone
It rained and it hailed an' it came a great storm
Killed ten thousand that never was born

So loaded up my wagon, fish'n I'll go
Yes, I will, yes I will, ruther or no
My wagon turned over my fish got spilled
Kill th ole gray mare, yes I will

From the Max Hunter collection.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Origins: Nottamun Town
From: pavane
Date: 23 Sep 08 - 03:26 AM

Here is a link to the Pitt broadside mentioned above (Bodleian Ballad library).

Paddys Ramble (to London)


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Origins: Nottamun Town
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 23 Sep 08 - 03:29 PM

Thanks Pavane,
Must have missed it when the website was first published.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Origins: Nottamun Town
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 23 Sep 08 - 06:17 PM

Having looked closely at the broadside 'Paddy's Ramble' and about a dozen versions of Nottamun Town, all they have in common is a stanza and a half (excepting Frank Purslow's collated version in The Foggy Dew). My considered opinion is that the Pitts broadside has taken these stanzas from an oral version of 'Nottamun Town' which is earlier, at least 18thc. The main clincher is 'Nottamun Town' is just a collection of nonsense without much of a story whereas in 'Paddy's Ramble' the plot is quite strong, being about his amorous wanderings in England in search of a rich wife and the verses interpolated from NT are quite extraneous to this plot. The style of nonsense in each song is the same which is possibly why they have become crossed. The only record therefore I have of any oral tradition of 'Paddy's Ramble' is the fragments cobbled together by Frank Purslow. Malcolm, we need to go back to the mss again on this one. I fear Frank's been up to his old tricks again!


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate
  Share Thread:
More...

Reply to Thread
Subject:  Help
From:
Preview   Automatic Linebreaks   Make a link ("blue clicky")


Mudcat time: 14 November 8:57 AM EST

[ Home ]

All original material is copyright © 2022 by the Mudcat Café Music Foundation. All photos, music, images, etc. are copyright © by their rightful owners. Every effort is taken to attribute appropriate copyright to images, content, music, etc. We are not a copyright resource.