The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #12890   Message #103951
Posted By: The_one_and_only_Dai
11-Aug-99 - 10:39 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Jolly Plough Boys
Subject: Lyr Add: JOLLY PLOUGH BOYS
This one from Ceceil Sharp. Collected from Somerset in 1906. Kate Rusby does the flattest, most funereal rendition of this or any other song I've ever heard.

'Twas early one mornin', at the break of the day
The cocks they were crowing and the farmer did say,
Rise up my jollw fellows, arise with good will,
Your horses want something their bellies to fill.

When four o'clock came me boys, it's up we did rise,
And off to the stable we merrily flies
With a rubbin' and a-scrubbin' our horses we'll go,
For we're all jolly fellows what follers the plough

When siz o'clock cam me boys, at breakfast we met
Of cold beef and pork we heartily ate
With a piece in our pocket, I'll swear and I'll vow,
That we're all jolly fellows that follows the plough.

Our farmer came to us, and this 'e did say,
What have you been doin' boys all this long day
You 'ave not ploughed yer acre, I'll swear and I'll vow,
You are all lazy fellows what follows the plough.

Our carter turns round, and he thus makes reply,
We 'ave all pploughed our acre, you 'ave told us a lie.
We 'ave all ploughed our acre, I'll swear and I'll vow,
We are all jolly fellows that follows the plough.

Our master turns round and he laughs at the joke (pause for audience participation)
It is gone two o'clock boys, it's time to unyoke.
Unharness your horses, and rub them down well
And I'll give you a jug of my very best ale.

So come all you jolly plough boys where ever you be,
Come take my advice and be ruled by me
Never fear you jolly masters where ever you go,
For we're all jolly fellows that follows the plough.

Segue seamlessly into 'Speed the plough' in G.