Origins: A different Young Banker

Subject: ADD: A Different Young Banker
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 19 Dec 25 - 12:14 PM

Hi all
Here's one that has foxed Ballad List and Tradsong forums.

Steve has it in with the regular Young Bankers, Roud 3321, but it's definitely not related to that song, but what is it? Has all the traits of a broadside ballad and many of the lines are commonplaces.

A DIFFERENT YOUNG BANKER

O, it's of a young banker in Tarranton did dwell,
Of all the young bankers none could him excel,
For he was such a rover in every degree,
He left his own country a rovin' must be.

He roved till he came unto Newark famed town,
Went into an alehouse and set himself down,
Saying, "Fetch me some licqour without more delay,
For many a long mile have I travelled this day."

The landlord's fair daughter was just passin' by,
Upon this young banker she fixed her eye,
"Oh may I go with you, my darling," says she,
"With my jolly young banker the country to see?"

sung by George Orton to Percy Grainger.

Subject: RE: Origins: A different Young Banker
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Dec 25 - 02:25 AM

could Orton have written it?

Subject: RE: Origins: A different Young Banker
From: Robert B. Waltz
Date: 21 Dec 25 - 06:52 AM

The Sandman wrote: could Orton have written it?

That depends on your definition, I suppose.

I think it very likely that this particular combination of stuff is out of George Orton's head, but it has so many traditional lines and echoes that I don't think he was setting out to create something. It's just a confusion.

What I have tried to imagine, and so far failed to come up with anything, is what name Orton had before him in his source. Young Bankwell? Young Banger? As I say, I haven't a good hypothesis. If we figured that out, we might well have the key to the song.

Subject: RE: Origins: A different Young Banker
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 21 Dec 25 - 10:43 AM

Thanks, Bob and Dick.
My own personal opinion based on the commonplace lines is that it is a broadside piece. It's obviously not a complete ballad and the rest of the stanzas would be useful. There is no place in Britain called Tarranton. Terrington is near King's Lynn in Norfolk not that far away from Brigg in Lincolnshire where Orton was recorded by Grainger in 1908. However, we also have Tarrington in Herefordshire. Orton's other songs are also broadside ballads and well-known.
Spencer the Rover
The Rainbow
John Riley
Reilly the Fisherman.
Newark of course is not very far from Brigg.

Happy Christmas to you both.

Subject: RE: Origins: A different Young Banker
From: Robert B. Waltz
Date: 21 Dec 25 - 11:01 AM

Steve Gardham wrote: However, we also have Tarrington in Herefordshire. Orton's other songs are also broadside ballads and well-known.

I just assumed that was an error of memory for Tarrington.

If you've looked at Orton's other songs, can you assess his memory? That is, if he's working from broadsides, can you tell how far he has strayed from them? That might be revealing. (I realize you might not be able to identify his exact source, but it would still be indicative.)

Subject: RE: Origins: A different Young Banker
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 21 Dec 25 - 03:12 PM

I'll have a look at the Index but now they've changed the system it's not so easy to bring up the actual texts. I'll give it a go.

Subject: RE: Origins: A different Young Banker
From: Mo the caller
Date: 21 Dec 25 - 05:25 PM

Could it be a transcription error Tar'n'ton. Not sure of his accent but in London it could sound like that