Lyr Req: Bumper, Squire Jones

15 Nov 02 - 04:40 AM (#826661)
Subject: Lyr Req: 'Bumper, Squire Jones'
From: Mad Maudlin

Hi all,

I have a recording of "Bumper, Squire Jones" by the Harp Consort, and there is a verse with a line I simply don't understand, no matter how often I listen to it. It is in this verse:

Ye physical tribe whose knowledge consists in hard words and grimace >br>
Whene'er ye prescribe a    ???    devotion (?)
??? potion, be what will the case;

Pray, where is the need to purge, blister and bleed
When ailing yourself the whole faculty owns
That the thoughts of old Galen are not so prevailing
As mirth with good claret - a bumper, Squire Jones!

If someone could help me here, that would be great! Thanks!

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15 Nov 02 - 06:34 AM (#826708)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Bumper, Squire Jones'
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan

I'm sure I have a set of words at home - I'll check later. Meanwhile
Some background.

Regards

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15 Nov 02 - 06:37 AM (#826711)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Bumper, Squire Jones'
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan

That page contains several verses - but not the one required.

Regards

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15 Nov 02 - 08:41 AM (#826794)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Bumper, Squire Jones'
From: Mad Maudlin

Thanks for the clicky, Martin, but I already knew that page. Of course it doesn't have the verse in question...the only one I have trouble understanding. Oh well - is this Murphy's Law of Music, or what? :-)

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15 Nov 02 - 11:05 AM (#826919)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Bumper, Squire Jones'
From: Malcolm Douglas

There's a fairly full (though damaged) text of the song at Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads which includes the verse in question:

Bumpers, Esq; Jones  As performed by John Beard: printer and date unknown. Harding B 22(35).

There's a clearer copy (Firth c.22(10)) but the link to the large image isn't working at the moment.

Ye Physical Tribe
Whose knowledge consists in hard words and Grimace,
Whenever ye prescribe,
Have at your Devotion, Pills, Bolus, or Potion,
Be what will the Case;
Pray where is the need, to purge, blister and bleed,
When ailing yourselves the whole faculty owns,
That the Forms of old Galen, are not so prevailing,
As Mirth with good Claret, &c.

A few words are very unclear, so there may be mistakes in that.

Information on the tune can be seen at The Fiddler's Companion:

Bumpers Squire Jones

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15 Nov 02 - 11:44 AM (#826944)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Bumper, Squire Jones'
From: Mad Maudlin

Thanks, Malcolm! Unclear words are better than blanks and question marks, in any case...at least these make sense.

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15 Nov 02 - 11:48 AM (#826948)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Bumper, Squire Jones'
From: weerover

Malcolm's version is as given in "Irish Minstrelsy"

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15 Nov 02 - 05:34 PM (#827295)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Bumper, Squire Jones'
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan

... and looks to be word-perfect.

Regards

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15 Nov 02 - 06:13 PM (#827334)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Bumper, Squire Jones'
From: Mad Maudlin

Sounds like what the guy on my tape sings, too. Thanks, all of you!

Regards,

Nathali

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