Lyr Req: The Curly Headed Ploughboy

Subject: Lyr Req: The Curly Headed Ploughboy
From: Vin2
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 06:09 AM

HI, having probs finding the lyrics to Curly Headed Ploughboy. I know the Albion Band have recorded this in the past. Anyone help ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Curly Headed Ploughboy
From: nutty
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 06:34 AM

There are a number of copies like this in the Bodleian


curly headed ploughboy

There is also another version - The Flazen Headed Ploughboy

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BLUE-EYED STRANGER AND THE CURLY-...
From: CheshireCat
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 07:52 AM

The version on the albion Band's No Surrender (possibly the same as the version on Grandson of Morris On(?) combines the two dance tunes The Blue-Eyed Stranger and The Curely-Headed Ploughboy. The lyrics are something like:

THE BLUE-EYED STRANGER AND THE CURLY-HEADED PLOUGHBOY.
(from the Albion Band recording, No Surrender)

The blue-eyed stranger shuffled into town
With his fiddle slung over his shoulder-oh
He seemed so shy that he caught the maidens' eye
But he proved to be much bolder-oh
Said "I can dance the bagpipes, I can dance a jig
And I can jump the highest caper-oh.
And I can play a tune that'll charm the singing birds,
I'm the finest catgut scraper-oh".

Oh, the curly-headed ploughboy
Has left his team to graze and,
To his delight, he's donned his whites
For these are dancing days.

Oh, the curly-headed ploughboy
He straps his bellpads on and
With flowers fresh upon his hat
He jingles down the lane.

And all the girls will blow a kiss
And some will heave a sigh
As the curly-headed ploughboy
Goes whistling gaily by.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Curly Headed Ploughboy
From: CheshireCat
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 07:53 AM

Or "The *curly* headed ploughboy, even.... sigh...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Curly Headed Ploughboy
From: Vin2
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 10:22 AM

Many cheers Nutty and CheshireCat. The one combined with Blue Eyed Stranger is the one i was thinking of but the Bodleian looks interesting. Must check that site out more. Ta agin folks !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Curly Headed Ploughboy
From: Bounty Hound
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 06:17 PM

Slight correction to first verse, Bacca pipes, not bagpipes!

John

Subject: ADD: The Curly Headed Ploughboy
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 07:27 PM

Here's my transcription of the version Nutty linked to at Bodleian Ballads - it's quite different from the Albion Band song.

THE CURLY HEADED PLOUGH BOY

A curly headed plough boy, five years ago was I,
I left my father's cottage my fortune for to try.
And now I am a soldier I strut about so gay,
No lad in battle bolder can show more British play.
Always ready when I'm called on, whatever my lot may be,
Although but a simple plough boy that whistled o'er the lea.

I first was made a drummer by comrades up I call,
Our Major soon had learnt me to face a musket ball.
That I was not afraid of - a coward I despise
Should you in battle chance to fall, my drum shall drown your cries.
If my dad and mam should hear this, they much distressed may be,
For fear they'd lose their plough boy, that whistled o're the lea.

For valor now promoted I wear the sword and sash,
With silver lace epaulettes I cut no little dash.
And homeward now returning with honour and with pelf,
My treasure with my dad I'll share, my honour keep myself.
For to him I am most indebted, my birth he gave to me,
I was his little plough boy that whistled o'er the lea.


Pitts, Printer, Wholesale Toy and Marble Warehouse
6, Great St. Andrew Street, 7 dials

Harding B25(459) - between 1819 and 1844

Subject: ADD Version: The Curly Headed Ploughboy
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 07:42 PM

The Vancouver Morrismen has a very nice songbook in PDF format: http://www.vancouvermorrismen.org/Songbook.pdf.

That songbook attributes the Albion Band version of "Plough Boy" to Ashley Hutchings:


CURLY HEADED PLOUGHBOY

Oh the Curly Headed Ploughboy has left his team to graze and
To his delight he's donned his whites for these are dancing days
Oh the Curly Headed Ploughboy, he straps his bellpads on and
With flowers fresh upon his hat, he jingles down the lane.
And all the girls will blow a kiss and some will heave a sigh
As the Curly Headed Ploughboy goes whistling gaily by

(Words by Ashley Hutchings)

I found these same lyrics on the Morris On album, which was produced by Ashley Hutchings.
Looks the same as what Cheshire Cat posted above.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Curly Headed Ploughboy
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 11:45 AM

There's another thread called Lyr Req: The Curly Headed Ploughboy but it may be about more than one song; it seems there are several songs (or versions) called THE FLAXEN-HEADED PLOUGHBOY or just THE PLOUGHBOY.