So I guess Amos didn't want the Jolly Tinker after all. The traditional Ballad Index divides the various "tinker" songs into three:
Jolly Tinker (I), The
DESCRIPTION: The tinker comes to town to mend the pots. He observes that "A tinker never marries, has a girl in every town...." "I've never stored much gold, but I have a lot to spend." "My life is wild and free, and I do not seek renown. I'm just a jolly tinker..."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1940 (Warner)
KEYWORDS: work sex rambling
FOUND IN: US(NE)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Warner 72, "The Jolly Tinker" (1 text, 1 tune)
DT, JOLITNK2*
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Tinker"
Notes: Tinkers had a reputation for wantonness, and a large bawdy repertoire built up around them. It is often difficult to decide if the songs are related or not. Since this song is "clean" and "The Tinker" is dirty, I decided to separate them. But I'm not confident about it.
Warner for some reason links this with Laws F24, "The Peddlar and His Wife" -- but that is a song about a murder! - RBW
File: Wa072
Tinker, The / Jolly Tinker (II), The
DESCRIPTION: The lady of the manor sends for the jolly tinker, who services her, her staff (including the butler) and then rides off, "little drops of semen pitter-patting at his feet."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE:
KEYWORDS: adultery bawdy Gypsy lover sex tinker
FOUND IN: Australia Britain(England,Scotland) US(MA,MW,So,SW)
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Cray, pp. 29-36, "The Tinker" (3 texts, 2 tunes)
Randolph-Legman I, pp. 113-117, "The Jolly Tinker" (3 texts, 1 tune)
DT, JOLITINK JOLLTNK3
Roud #863
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Jolly Beggar" [Child 279]
cf. "Clout the Cauldron"
cf. "The Jolly Tinker (I)"
cf. "The Jolly Tinker (III)"
ALTERNATE TITLES:
The Highland Tinker
The Jolly Tinker
Notes: Randolph-Legman provides a detailed history of this ballad. - EC
This song can be told from "The Jolly Tinker" by its description of the tinker's, um, improbable physical attributes. - RBW
File: EM029
Jolly Tinker (III), The
DESCRIPTION: A London lady tells a tinker she has kettles to mend. He asks if there are holes that need blocking; they fall to work. She bangs a pan "to let the servants know that he was hard at work." Refrain: "And I'll be bound she had (he could, they did, etc.)"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1952 (recorded from Billy Dickeson)
LONG DESCRIPTION: A London lady, desiring the company of a tinker, writes and tells him she has kettles to mend. He comes, asking if there are any rusty holes that need blocking; she leads him to the bedroom and they fall to work on the feather-bed. She picks up a pan and he bangs it "to let the servants know that he was hard at work"; she pays him, saying they'll have another round. Refrain: "And I'll be bound she had (he could, they did, etc.)"
KEYWORDS: sex work bawdy tinker
FOUND IN: Britain(England(South),Scotland),Ireland(South)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Kennedy 177, "The Jolly Tinker" (1 text, 1 tune)
DT, JOLLTNK4* JOLLTNK3
Roud #863
RECORDINGS:
Thomas Moran, "The Jolly Tinker" (on FSB2)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Tinker" (plot)
File: K177Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index InstructionsThe Ballad Index Copyright 2005 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.
Of the songs in the Digital Tradition:The Tinker comes from Sedley's Seeds of Love
I am the bravest tinker that lives beneath the sun
If you have any work to do, you shall have it well doneThe Jolly Tinker 2 comes from Warner & Warner, Traditional American Folk songs
I am a jolly tinker That goes from town to town.
I will mend your pots and kettles If you'll only bring them 'round.Jolly Tinker 3 does not have an identified source - it's similar to the Clancy version posted above, but certainly not the same as what the Clancys sing.
I am a jolly tinker, At a door I chanced to knock
And said: `Have you any kettles Or some rusty holes to block?'Jolly Tinker 4 comes from Folksongs of Britain and Ireland, Kennedy.
A noted London lady O she loved a tinker-man
But she couldn't get in his company But a little now and then