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Subject: THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR From: MMario Date: 11 Jul 01 - 02:25 PM THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR (traditional) A sol-dier and a sail-or were a-walk-ing one day They walked til they came to an old hol-low tree said_the sol-dier to_the sail-or Let this our pulpit be And what-ev-er we pray for, we'll hope soon to see Now the first thing we'll pray for wi-ll be some good beer Said the sailor to the soldier I wish it was here For where we get one pint I hope we'll get ten and nev-er want for liq-our cried_the sold-ier a-men Now the next thing we'll pray for wi-ll be some good beef Said the sailor to the soldier: We'll eat with re-lief For where we get one pound I hope we'll get ten and nev-er go _ hun-gry, cried_the sol-dier: a-men Now the next thing we'll pray for will be our grac-ious Queen And may she live as happy and long may she reign And where she get one man, I hope she_will have ten May she never want for boun-ty, cried_the sold-dier: a-men
MIDI file: solsail.mid Timebase: 192 Name: THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR This program is worth the effort of learning it. To download the latest version of MIDItext and get instructions on how to use it click here ABC format: X:1
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR From: GUEST,David Date: 11 Jul 01 - 02:35 PM There is an extremely scurrilous version of this, much sung in Irish Republican circles years ago where the references to Her Gracious Majesty are less than kind.David. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR From: MMario Date: 11 Jul 01 - 02:41 PM I'm sure there are...the notes on this indicate it goes back (minimum) to 1904 - so I would have to assume the "Her Majesty" is Victoria. However, when I sing it, the reference to Her Majesty will be Elizabeth I, as I intend to sing it during the summer of 1585. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 11 Jul 01 - 04:54 PM Mike Seeger sings yet another version, in which "We'll pray for the young boys that stay at home and plow "We'll pray for the young girls that stay at home and spin, We'll pray for the old miser, with his hands full of gold. Mike Seeger, Southern Banjo Sounds DRO |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR From: Snuffy Date: 11 Jul 01 - 07:13 PM Two versions in the DT: THE FIRST THING TOPMAN AND AFTERGUARD |
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Subject: ADD: Soldier's Litany From: Joe_F Date: 11 Jul 01 - 07:17 PM See also "Topman and Afterguard" in DigiTrad. Here's another version -- can't remember where I learned it: THE SOLDIER'S LITANY A soldier and a sailor went walking one day. Said the soldier to the sailor, "I've a notion to pray, And if we say one prayer, then let us say ten. Let's have a bloody litany!" Said the sailor, "Amen!" "Well then, first of all, let us pray for some beer." "Amen!" said the sailor, "May 't bring us good cheer!" "And if we have one cask, then may we have ten! Let's have a bloody brewery." Said the sailor, "Amen!" "Then second of all, let us pray for a wench." "Amen!" said the sailor, "and may she be French!" "And if we have one wench, then may we have ten! Let's have a bloody harem." Said the sailor, "Amen!" "And then, next of all, let us pray for a boy." "Amen!" said the sailor, "May he bring us great joy!" "And if we have one boy, then may we have ten! Let's have a bloody orphanage." Said the sailor, "Amen!" "Well, then, next of all, let us pray for our queen, And a jolly great mother to us she has been. And if she have one brat, then may she have ten! May she have a bloody army!" Said the sailor, "Amen!" "And then, last of all, let us pray for our king, And a bloody black bastard to us he has been. And if he catch one dose, then may he catch ten! May he have a bloody hospital!" Said the sailor, "Amen!" -- I gather that, in the British Navy, there is no such thing as sedition so long as you sing it. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 11 Jul 01 - 07:25 PM See also, in the Forum: Parson & the Clerk - Australian |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR From: MMario Date: 12 Jul 01 - 08:51 AM so - there's a reason it sounded familiar! |
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Subject: ADD: Subaltern's Lament From: CET Date: 12 Jul 01 - 06:34 PM This song is traditional in the Canadian Army. I learned it, long before I ever knew it was a very old folk song, as the Subaltern's Lament The first thing we asked for, we asked for some beer Wonderful, glorious, beautiful beer If we can have one beer, why can't we have ten Why can't we have a brewery, why can't we have a brewery, why can't we have a brewery Is the subaltern's lament The next thing we asked for, we asked for some booze Wonderful, glorious, beautiful booze If we can have one drink, why can't we have ten Why can't we have a distillery, why can't we have a distillery, why can't we have a distillery, Is the subaltern's lament The next thing we asked for, we asked for some girls Wonderful, glorious, beautiful girls If we can have one girl, why can't we have ten? Why can't we have a whorehouse, why can't we have a whorehouse, why can't we have a whorehouse? Is the subaltern's lament. A friend of mine once sang the following verse: The next thing we asked for, we asked for some boys Wonderful, glorious, beautiful boys If we can have one boy, why can't we have ten? Why can't we dock in Frisco, why can't we dock in Frisco, why can't we dock in Frisco? Is the subaltern's lament. I learned quite a few other songs, which I now realize were genuine folksongs, but too obscene to share on the Mudcat. I love Joe F's version. I'm definitely going to learn it. Edmund |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR From: MMario Date: 12 Jul 01 - 09:50 PM well - it was a posting of a near repeat - but look at all the nice varients it scared out of the woodwork!
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Subject: ADD Version: The Topman and the Afterguard From: Margo Date: 13 Jul 01 - 12:53 AM I haven't seen here the version that Lou Killen does of the Topman and the Afterguard. I shall try from memory: The Topman and the Afterguard Oh a topman and an afterguard went a walking out one day Says the topman to the afterguard I mean for to pray for the rights of all sailors and the wrongs of all men and whatever I do pray for you must answer "amen". First I'll pray for the bosun with his little stick Who calls out "all hands" and then gives us a lick He strikes many a good fellow and kicks him a-main May the devil double triple damn him; says the afterguard, "Amen" Next I'll pray for the purser who gives us to eat Old burgoo, rank butter and musty horse meat With his weavily old biscuits, while he gets the gain, May the devil double triple damn him, says the Afterguard, "Amen" Then I'll pray for them navy officers who hold back our due, We are owed three years wages and prize money too, Well it's no pay for you Jack try next voyage again, May the Devil double triple damn them, says the afterguard "Amen" And the last thing that I'll pray for is a jug of good beer, For the Lord made the liquor our spirits to cheer, And where we had one pot I wish we had ten, And never never want for grog boys, says the afterguard "Amen" I sure do like the way Lou Killen sings this, too. Margo
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 13 Jul 01 - 09:31 AM A few further links (two are to sets mentioned by Snuffy earlier on): Ma Sheela A parody by Robert Kotta. Topman and Afterguard A rather different text (unattributed) from the one Margo quotes. Tune in ABC for the two above, posted by Snuffy. The first thing Canadian Airforce version, some parts in common with Edmund's Army one. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR From: MMario Date: 13 Jul 01 - 09:35 AM Malcolm - redundant as this is after the thread - THANKS! Messages from multiple threads combined. Messages below are from a new thread. |
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Subject: Origins: soldier and a sailor (soldiers prayer) From: Mick O'Farrell Date: 15 Jan 04 - 03:05 PM Hi, Does any body know of a good recorded version of 'A Soldier and a Sailor', also somtimes called 'The Soldier's Prayer'. My dad used to sing the following lyrics : _ A soldier and a sailor went walking one day, Said the soldier to the sailor, Shall we kneel down and pray, And if we say one prayer, Then let's make it ten, We'll have a bloody sermon, said the sailor, Amen. And if would should pray, let us pray for some beer, Oh lord, may we have some To bring us good cheer, And if we have one pint, Then let's make it ten, Let's 'ave a bloody brewery, said the sailor, Amen. I've heard Hamish Imlach's version, but the melody he uses definatly varies somewhat, from the version I know. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: soldier and a sailor (soldiers prayer) From: The Vulgar Boatman Date: 15 Jan 04 - 03:50 PM The usual tune I've heard is one of the many versions of Villikens and his Dinah. However, the whole thing may have grown out of one that starts off:
He often do toll the eight o'clock bell, He went to the ale house to take a small sup And forgot the old church for to lock-a-lock lock... A mare and a foal ran in at great speed, The mare from the bible began for to read, "Oh stay," said the foal, "before you begin, Whatever you pray for I'll answer amen... "Let us pray for the millers that grind us our corn, For they are the greatest rogues that ever were born, For every bushel they'll take two for toll, May the devil take the millers," "Amen" said the foal... etc. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: soldier and a sailor (soldiers prayer) From: LadyJean Date: 16 Jan 04 - 01:18 AM I've encountered a version involving two sailors. I'll try to find it. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: soldier and a sailor (soldiers prayer) From: Joe Offer Date: 16 Jan 04 - 02:35 AM This Lieder page has a version - with musical setting by Benjamin Britten!! The Soldier and the Sailor As the soldier and the sailor Was a-walking one day, Said the soldier to the sailor: "I've a mind for to pray". "Pray on then", said the sailor, "Pray on once again, And whatever you do pray for, I will answer "Amen'". "Now the first thing I'll pray for, I'll pray for the Queen, That she have peace and plenty All the days of her reign, And where she got one man I wish she had ten; And never want for an army". Said the sailor, "Amen". "Now the next thing I'll pray for, I'll pray for the Queen, That she have peace and plenty All the days of her reign, And where she got one ship I wish she had ten; And never want for a navy". Said the sailor, "Amen". "Now the next thing I'll pray for, Is a pot of good beer, For good liquor were sent us Our spirits to cheer, And where we got one pot, I wish we had ten, And never want for liquor". Said the sailor, "Amen". I've had my eye on a two-CD set called Britten: The Folksong Arrangements. I see that the song is also on Mike Seeger's Southern Banjo Sounds. Alan Lomax recorded Harry Cox singing it - it's on the What Will Become of England? CD from the Lomax "Portraits' series. Here's the entry from the Traditional Ballad Index: Soldier and the Sailor, TheDESCRIPTION: The sailor "has a good mind to pray For the rights of all people and the wrongs of all men." He accuses the lawyers of "tak[ing] your hard earnings and giv[ing] you hard laws"; the ministers for condemning you to hell, and the farmers for high pricesAUTHOR: unknown EARLIEST DATE: 1902 (Petrie) KEYWORDS: political curse FOUND IN: Britain(England(South,Lond),Scotland(Aber)) Canada(Mar) Ireland REFERENCES (2 citations): Doerflinger, pp. 277-278, "The Soldier and the Sailor" (1 text, 1 tune) Kennedy 239, "The Soldier and the Sailor" (1 text, 1 tune) Roud #350 RECORDINGS: Archie Lennox, "The Soldier and the Sailor" (on FSB8) CROSS-REFERENCES: cf. "'Pleasant and Delightful" (meter) cf. "Ye Gentlemen of England (I)" [Laws K2] (theme) Notes: This appears to exist in two forms -- one, exemplified by Doerflinger, condemning various wrongs; the other, found in Kennedy, just calling for a good time (praying for beer and the like). There are, however, enough similarities that I would consider them still one song. - RBW File: Doe277 Go to the Ballad Search form The Ballad Index Copyright 2003 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. |
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Subject: ADD Version: Soldier and the Sailor From: Joe Offer Date: 16 Jan 04 - 03:53 AM MMario posted the version from Kennedy in the first message. Here's the version from Doerflinger's Songs of the Sailor and Lumberman. -Joe Offer- The Soldier and the Sailor The soldier and the sailor went a-walking one day, Said the sailor to the soldier, "I've a good mind to pray For the rights of all people and the wrongs of all men, May the Devil double-double-triple-damn them!" Said the soldier, "Amen." "Now here's to those lawyers, they'll plead for your cause, They'll take your hard earnings and give you hard laws. They'll send you to jail at last, and there to remain. May the Devil double-double-triple-damn them!" Said the soldier, "Amen." "Here's to the ministers, they'll preach and they'll pray, They'll take your hard earnings and fool it away. They'll send you to hell at last, and there to remain. May the Devil double-double-triple-damn them!" Said the soldier, "Amen." "Now here's to the farmer that follows his plough And gets his hard earnings by the sweat of his brow. Here's a health to the sailor and the soldier the same. May the good God Almighty help them!" And they both said, "Amen." As sung by Captain Henry Burke aboard the Canadian three-mast schooner Leo le Blanc. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: nutty Date: 16 Jan 04 - 04:21 PM This is very similar to the version MMario posted. It was collected by Fred Hamer from the singing of Harry Scott of Bedfordshire and printed in the EFDS Publication "GARNERS GAY" THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR (traditional) Oh the soldier and the sailor went a-walking one day Said the soldier to the sailor, I'm a-going for to pray I'm a-going for to pray for the good of all men And whatever-ever I do pray for, you will answer Amen The first thing that they came to was an old hollow tree Said the soldier to the sailor, There's a pulpit for thee Pray on said the soldier , pray on once again And whatever-ever you do pray for, I will answer Amen Now the first thing he prayed for was for our gracious Queen Happy may she live and long may she reign And where she had one man, I wish she had ten She would always have a standing army. Cried the soldier, Amen The next thing he prayed for was for be our gracious Queen That she may have peace and plenty all the days of her reign And where she has one ship, I wish she had ten She would never ever want a navy, Cried the soldier, Amen Now the next thing he prayed for was a quart of brown ale And as long as we're drinking it may our hearts never fail And where we have one quart I wish we had ten Bravo, cried the soldier, I will answer, Amen |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: Rog Peek Date: 31 Aug 07 - 04:51 PM verses I remember from Brunel University folk club 1966/67: The soldier and the sailor went walking one day said the soldier to the sailor "let's kneel down and pray |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: Rog Peek Date: 31 Aug 07 - 05:16 PM Sorry, hit the wrong key, I'll start again: The soldier and the sailor went walking one day Said the soldier to the sailor "let's kneel down and pray, And if we have one prayer, may we also have ten Give us a whole bloody litany" said the sailor "Amen" Sing toorali oorali oorali aye, toorali oorali oorali aye And if we have one prayer, may we also have ten Give us a whole bloody litany" said the sailor "Amen" Said the soldier to the sailor "let's pray for some beer Sing glory halleluiah may it fill us with cheer And if we have one pint may we also have ten Let's have a whole bloody brewery" said the sailor "Amen" Sing toorali oorali oorali aye, toorali oorali oorali aye "And if we have one pint may we also have ten Let's have a whole bloody brewery" said the sailor "Amen" Said the soldier to the sailor "let's pray for a wench Sing glory halleluiah and may she be French And if we have one wench may we also have ten Give us a whole bloody brothel" said the sailor "Amen" Sing toorali oorali oorali aye, toorali oorali oorali aye "And if we have one wench may we also have ten Give us a whole bloody brothel" said the sailor "Amen" Said the soldier to the sailor "let's pray for a wife May she make us happy for all of our life And if we have one wife may we also have ten Give us a whole bloody harem" said the sailor "Amen" Sing toorali oorali oorali aye, toorali oorali oorali aye "And if we have one wife may we also have ten Give us a whole bloody harem" said the sailor "Amen" Said the soldier to the sailor "let's pray for the Queen May she be as fertile as she's ever been And if she has one son may she also have ten Give her a whole bloody regiment" said the sailor "Amen" Sing toorali oorali oorali aye, toorali oorali oorali aye "And if she has one son may she also have ten Give her a whole bloody regiment" said the sailor "Amen" Said the soldier to the sailor "let's pray for the King Sing glory halleluiah, what a bastard he's been And if he has one shot may he also have ten Give him a whole bloody clinic" said the sailor "Amen" Sing toorali oorali oorali aye, toorali oorali oorali aye And if he has one sshot may he also have ten Give him a whole bloody clinic" said the sailor "Amen" |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: Rumncoke Date: 01 Sep 07 - 07:52 AM I have the participants the other way round - that is a sailor and a soldier, so that the sailor is the lead - presumably in a Navy town such as Portsmouth (Hampshire England) that is to be expected. First they imagine they are back at home. Second verse they pray for beer/the whole brewery. Third for cash/the Bank of England. Fourth verse for peace/peace for evermore. The tune is 'The larks they sang melodious' - otherwise 'Pleasant and delightful' |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: GUEST,ANTO Date: 01 Sep 07 - 07:54 PM An adapted version of A Soldier and a Sailor was very popular in the early 60s around dublin. After spending a long time trying to track it down I finally found it was written and recorded by Dominic Behan, and is on one of his L/ps. However, He changed the title to "May he also have Ten". As a newcomer, I don't know if you did a thread on "alternate titles" to folk songs, if not , it might be an idea. Anto |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Pra From: Joe_F Date: 01 Sep 07 - 09:19 PM Rog Peek's text is the closest to mine so far. I might mention that the tune to mine was pretty much "Villikins & his Dinah", except that at the end of the second line, instead sol being repeated twice, it was followed by la li (G A Bb, if you're in the key of C), with a long hold on the li. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: Teribus Date: 02 Sep 07 - 06:42 AM "Well, then, next of all, let us pray for our queen, And a jolly great mother to us she has been. And if she have one brat, then may she have ten! May she have a bloody army!" Said the sailor, "Amen!" Not so much sedition as self interest. In the days of the "Tot" whenever the Queen gave birth "Splice the Mainbrace" was piped through the Fleet. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: Lighter Date: 02 Sep 07 - 07:24 PM American Civil War buffs may enjoy the following, from W. L. Fagan's "Southern War Songs" (1892): As a couple of good soldiers were walking one day, Said one to the other: "Let's kneel down and pray! I'll pray for the war, and the good of all men: And whatever I pray for, do you say '"Amen!'" "We'll pray for the generals and all of their crew, Likewise for the captains and lieutenants too; May good luck and good fortune them always attend, And return safely home;" said the soldier, "Amen!" "We'll pray for the privates, the noblest of all; They do all the work and get no glory at all; May good luck and good fortune them always attend, And return crowned with laurels!" said the soldier, "Amen!" "We'll pray for the pretty boys who want themselves wives, And have not the courage to strike for themselves; May bad luck and bad fortune them always attend! And go down to Old Harry!" said the soldier, "Amen!" "We'll pray for the pretty girls who make us good wives, And always look at a soldier with tears in their eyes; May good luck and good fortune them always attend! And brave gallants for sweethearts!" said the soldier, "Amen!" "We'll pray for the conscript, with frown on his brow, To fight for his country, he won't take the vow; May bad luck and bad fortune him always attend; And die with dishonor!" said the soldier "Amen!" |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: GUEST,Helen Date: 07 Oct 10 - 09:46 PM And these are Hamish Imlach's lyrics to the song: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) Well a soldier and a sailor went walking one day Said the soldier to the sailor let? Come let us pray And if we have one prayer we might as well have ten Let's have a bloody litany said the sailor amen And what shall we pray for? Let's pray for some beer That wonderful beautiful glorious beer. And if we have one beer we might as well have ten Let's have a bloody brewery said the sailor amen And now what shall we pray for? Let's pray for our wench. Glory oh glory may she be French And if we have one wench we might as well have ten Let's have a bloody harem said the sailor amen And now who shall we pray for? Let's pray for the Queen. Glory o glory long may she reign. And if she has one child may she also have ten, May she have a bloody regiment said the sailor Amen. Now who shall we pray for? Let's pray for the Duke. That wonderful handsome great smiling bloke And if he loses one hair may he also lose ten May his highness go bald he said the sailor Amen What last shall we pray for? Let's pray for world peace, From Cape Town to China from Glasgow to Greece And if we have one year we might as well have ten May we never ever ever have another one said the sailor. Amen.
(Melody: Betsey from Pike?) |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: Bugsy Date: 07 Jun 11 - 03:58 AM I remember Hamish singing, "Now who shall we pray for? Let's pray for the Duke. That wonderful handsome inteligent Pluke..." I rather liked that version. Cheers Bugsy |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: GUEST Date: 19 Apr 12 - 01:47 AM There is a chorus missing from the Canadian Army Version: The Captains, the Majors, the half Colonels too, Hands in their pockets with fuck all to do, Drinking the pay of a squadron of men, May God piss on them sideways, cries the Subalterns' lament (Repeated after each verse) DT |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: GUEST,kenny Date: 19 Apr 12 - 09:06 AM I'm with Helen and Bugsy on Hamish's version, almost..... "That wonderful, handsome, great smiling plook..." "Plook / pluke" however you spell it means a pimple, or if you prefer, a "zit". ... and it was "May the bastard go baldy, said the Sailor, Amen" Hamish would also on occasion change the towns or countries in the 3rd last line, depending on what was taking place in the world at the time. I distinctly remember Belfast being included on at least one occasion. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: GUEST,ClaudeTheDog Date: 19 Apr 12 - 11:19 AM I thought Hamish sang "That wonderful, handsome, great smiling FLUKE" (as in parasitic sucking worm). And I thought his last line was "May we never ever have another WAR, said the sailor,amen." I likely misheard, but both words work for me. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: GUEST,kenny Date: 20 Apr 12 - 10:41 AM Depends where and when you heard him. Last line's fine, but I seriously doubt that he ever sang "fluke". It was definitely "plook" whenever I heard it. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: GUEST Date: 31 Mar 18 - 09:10 AM Yes, I'm sure it was "plook". :) |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: GUEST,Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 31 Mar 18 - 09:49 AM You can hear Hamish's version on youtube Hamish Imlach - The Soldier's Prayer, where he definitely sings plook with meaning pimple as kenny said above. The rest of that version is the same as Helen's transcription except a few minor differences: "Let's pray for a wench; May his highness go baldy ; and the penultimate line, where he has And if we have one year may we also have ten Mick |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: Steve Gardham Date: 02 Apr 18 - 10:59 AM Vulgar Boatman's posting 15 Jan 04 comes closest to explaining origins. The forces version is a parody (like most forces songs) of an old broadside piece called 'The Silly Mare and Foal'. It seems to have been quite scarce as I only have one early copy, probably printed in York, as it is in with a batch of broadsides almost all with York imprints in the BL. There are however oral versions as my old mate, Ken Canfield, used to sing it in the 60s. The copy I have I'd guess at about 1820. I'll post it but I'll have to type it out on Word first. Lost too many postings by trying to post direct. |
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Subject: ADD: The Silly Mare and Foal From: Steve Gardham Date: 02 Apr 18 - 01:11 PM THE SILLY MARE AND THE FOAL A story, a story to you I will unfold, Its of an old silly mare and a young sucking foal, My story is true and its come for to pass, This old mare and foal went into the church yard to grass, Derry down &c. The clerk of the parish you know very well, He us’d to ring the eight o’clock bell, One night being late, thro’ sitting o’er his black pot, He quite forgot the church doors to lock. The old mare and foal went in with all speed, They open’d the books and began for to read, Said the foal to the mare, I pray now begin, And whate’er you pray for, I’ll say Amen. To pray for these publicans I’m very leath (loth), That fill their quart pots half full of froth, Some fill them half full, others fill them whole, The devil go with them – Amen says the foal. To pray for those bakers that bake all the year They buy the corn cheap, and they sell the bread dear, I wish they may burn their best rustling pole, And stand in the pillory – Amen says the foal. To pray for those brewers that brew night and day, They get all the money and carry the sway, I wish they may burn the best copper of all, And let out the liquor – Amen says the foal. To pray for those drunkards that drink day and night, When they get drunk they’ll quarrel & fight, Some drinks them half full, and some drinks them whole, God bless the swallow – Amen says the foal. To pray for those blacksmiths, those jolly brave boys, That shoe all the horses that work on the roads I wish they may never want pincers and coal, Then we shall walk easy – Amen says the foal. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: Steve Gardham Date: 02 Apr 18 - 01:20 PM The tune here is the ubiquitous 'Derry Down' rightly the most popular tune of the last 4 and a half centuries in the English-speaking world. It is interesting that its parody should end up with what must be the second most popular 'Villikins'. The tune my mate sang was from the Lake District (in the Society Journals) and is not a variant of either of these. It is vaguely familiar but I can't place it at the moment, perhaps a hunting song. It'll come to me. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: Steve Gardham Date: 02 Apr 18 - 02:22 PM Sorry, not from the lake District, but from Suffolk, one George Hill in 1921. Incidentally there's a version of the 'Soldier and Sailor' as sung by Harry Cox of Norfolk in 1927, on the same page. This is not the Villikins tune though, nor is it the Mare and Foal tune there given. The Mare & Foal tune has some phrases in common with the Streets of Laredo tune but this is probably just a co-incidence. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer) From: Steve Gardham Date: 02 Apr 18 - 02:33 PM Sharp collected a version of TM&F and there is a short 4-verse oral version in the John Bell Song Collection from Northumberland, written down c1810-20. It has the first 3 stanzas of the broadside in a shunted form and the 'brewers' stanza. |
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