THE TINKER OF RYE
(Paul Giovanni)

There was a tinker lived of late who walked the streets of Rye.
He bore his pack upon his back, "Patches and plugs" did cry.
"Oh, I have brass within my bag; my hammer's full of mettle, [or "metal"?]
And as to skill I well can clout and mend a broken kettle."

A maiden did this tinker meet and to him boldly say:
"For sure, my kettle hath much need if you will pass my way."
She took the tinker by the hand and led him to her door.
Says she, "My kettle I will show, and you can clout it sure."

For patching and plugging is his delight.
His work goes forward day and night.

"Fair maid," says he, "your kettle's cracked; the cause is plainly told.
There hath so many nails been drove, mine own could not take hold."
Says she, "It hath endured some knocks, and more it may, I know.
I'm sure a large lad's nail will hold if it was struck in so."

For patching and plugging is his delight.
His work goes forward day and night.


As sung by Christopher Lee and Diane Calento in the soundtrack album "The Wicker Man" (Silva America 2002)*

[Notes on this page: Music of the Wicker Man say that only the Silva version of the soundtrack album has the complete song that you see here; the film itself (1973) and an earlier soundtrack album have a shorter version.

The tune and these exact words may be original, but the idea of the song—that is, a series of double-entendres based on the work of a tinker —is much older.

See, in the DT:
DAVY FAA
THE TINKER
THE JOLLY TINKER 2
THE JOLLY TINKER 3
THE JOLLY TINKER (4)

And in the forum:
THE JOLLY TINKER (from Oscar Brand)
Another 'JOLLY TINKER' (Merry Wedding)
THE JOLLY TINKER (from Ed McCurdy)
THE JOLLY TINKER (from The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem)
THE JOLLY TINKER (a yet more explicit version)]