Tune Req: Jarvis the Coachman tune

Subject: Tune Req: Jarvis the Coachman tune
From: RTim
Date: 27 Apr 21 - 05:34 PM

I have been trying to discover where the tune for Jarvis the Coachman come from.

It was collected by Alfred Williams from Henry "Wassail" Harvey in Cricklade - but we all know that Williams did NOT collect tunes!!
WE also know that the song appeared on early Broadsides - again all published without tunes.

The only recording I know was by The Critics Group on "A Merry Progress to London" - and lo and behold...it has a tune. The sleeve notes say nothing about the tune...so where did it come from??

Tim Radford

https://ewanmaccoll.bandcamp.com/track/jarvis-the-coachman


Jarvis The Coachman.

My name it is Jarvis the Coachmen
A coachman I’ve been for some years
I drive up and down and all over the town
Without any danger or fears.

Some gentleman travelers they haled me,
I stopped in the road for a fee,
But if I had known what their plan was
Old Nick should have driven ‘em not me.

One night I was driving through Chelsea,
A driving along to me doom
Three gentleman traveler they haled me
All for to be took to their homes.

They made me drive up by old Highgate,
Till a man hung in chains I could see,
But if I had known what their plan was
Old Nick should have driven ‘em not me.

They made me drive under the gibbet,
They made me drive under it straight,
They swore I should climb to the top of it,
Or else my old neck they would break.

They put a long rope round my middle
Then pulled me to the top of the tree,
Then off with me coach and me horses,
They galloped off most speedily.

I Whooped, I bawled, I hollered
Till at length the bold butcher he came by,
I frightened the poor butcher’s horses,
For he thought thus a dead man’s cry.

Till at length a bold brickmaker came by,
Then he cut me down from the tree.
But if I had known what their plan was
Old Nick should have driven ‘em not me.


Henry “Wassail” Harvey, Cricklade, Wilts
Alfred Williams and Broadsides

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Jarvis the Coachman tune
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 28 Apr 21 - 08:34 AM

My Bonny fits well enough but that's too modern. How about the Irish tune 'Mush Mush'?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Jarvis the Coachman tune
From: RTim
Date: 28 Apr 21 - 11:22 AM

Oh Steve...I have a tune, I just want to know where the Critics Group or anyone else got it from....??

Tim R

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Jarvis the Coachman tune
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 28 Apr 21 - 12:23 PM

In view of all the circumstances you ably describe, Tim, I think we both have a good idea where that tune came from.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Jarvis the Coachman tune
From: RTim
Date: 28 Apr 21 - 01:03 PM

Well, Well......I lied when I said the sleeve notes for the LP "Merry Progress to London" did NOT include information on the tune.

I finally search out my old LP and there it is stated - The tune is "The Female Highwaywoman Outwitted" - So the mystery is solved.

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Jarvis the Coachman tune
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 28 Apr 21 - 02:08 PM

What a coincidence! That's one of the tunes I had in my head when looking at it. It could well be the original tune. About the right age and a well-used and well-known tune.