Lyr Req: It's of an old Lord

Subject: Lyr Req: It's of and old Lord
From: GUEST,Alan
Date: 28 Nov 12 - 06:45 AM

I'm working on the songs Ralph Vaughan Williams noted in King's Lynn, Norfolk, UK, in 1905 and cannot find lyrics for several titles despite extensive research. Can anyone help please?

NB: It's a young lovers / unhappy Lord of a father / press gang / disguised female / happy ending sort.
Some vss found in Folk Song Journal Vol 2

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's of and old Lord
From: doc.tom
Date: 28 Nov 12 - 08:37 AM

Could be one of many as you describe it. Do you mean Folk Music Journal (FMJ) vol.2 (if so which year?), or Journal of the Folk Song Society (JFSS) vol.2 (if so which year?)?
TomB

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's of and old Lord
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 28 Nov 12 - 08:52 AM

Tom

It's: Journal of the Folk-Song Society 2 (1906) pp.181-182 (according to Roud)

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's of and old Lord
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 28 Nov 12 - 09:05 AM

Which I've just realised I've got. I'll post the tune later.

Mick

---

IT'S OF AN OLD LORD

It's of an old Lord who in London did dwell,
He had but one daughter whom a sailor loved well;
There was many came to see her, But she refused them all,
And for that young sailor who was proper and tall.

Her father went to her one day with a frown,
Saying, "Is there a lord or duke in this towm
But he can enjoy your sweet lovely face,
For to marry this young man your friends to disgrace."

Now her father grieved, but not to the heart,
To think he should force this young couple to part.
"It would cost me ten hundred bright guineas," said he,
"I'll send for the press gang and I'll send him to sea."

They went to get married, got to the church door,
They met with the press gang, about half a score,
They pressed her own true love on to the salt sea
And instead of being married brought sorrowful day.

Now soon you shall hear how it fell to her lot,
To be a true lover's messmate though he knew it not;
It was every morning this young couple arose,
They got up together and slipped on their clothes.

  (Some verses evidently missing here)

Saying, "I once had a true love in London," says he,
"But her cruel father forced me to sea;
Come tell unto me the day of your birth,
Tell unto me with a good deal of truth.

For I am your true love and you are my joy,
And if I can't have you my life I'll destroy,"
"Now we'll send for the parson, the parson with speed,
Now we'll send for the parson and married we'll be."
"If ever I'm married it shall be to you,
Here's adieu to my father and all he can do."


Source: JFS, 2 (1905) pp181-182. Tune noted by R.Vaughan Williams, Sung by Mr.Elmer in the King's Lynn Union, Jan. 10th, 1905

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's of and old Lord
From: GUEST,Alan
Date: 28 Nov 12 - 09:07 AM

Sorry for the ambiguity Tom.
As Mick says, it's the JFSS 1906 Vol 2 which has many of RVW's King's Lynn finds but annoyingly only a few vss of 'It's an old Lord.
Alan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's of and old Lord
From: GUEST,Alan
Date: 28 Nov 12 - 09:12 AM

Thanks Mick, but I've got all those verses from JFSS, as well as the tune. I'ts the "some verses evidently missing here" bit I'm searchin for, as well as a more coherent set of verses if possible. I want to sing this and you can't be convincing with verses that don't make sense!
Alan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's of and old Lord
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 28 Nov 12 - 09:25 AM

Roud #601 has 42 entries for the song. I've have to go out in a few minutes so I haven't time to check for any I've got. I do have the versions from Cecil Sharp Collecttion ed Karpeles. I'll look through the other refs later.

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's of and old Lord
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 28 Nov 12 - 12:57 PM

This is listed as Roud #601. There are versions primarily under the titles of The Press Gang and The Lady and the Sailor.

Versions (amongst others) in Purslow's The Wanton Seed (I have this), Sharp (ed Karpeles - I have these), 5 versions of The Lady and The Sailor in the Bodleian Broadsides.

You might be interested in a version from Norfolk (Catfield), published in Journal of the Folk-Song Society 8 (1931) pp.265-266 under the title The Old Miser, starting It was an old miser in London did dwell.

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's of and old Lord
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 28 Nov 12 - 03:52 PM

Well covered, Mick.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's of and old Lord
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Nov 12 - 10:50 PM

The tune can be seen in Journal of the Folk-Song Society, Volume 2, Issues 6-9 (London: Folk-Song Society, 1905-06), page 181.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's of an old Lord
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 29 Nov 12 - 05:22 AM

Jim

I didn't bother posting the tune after Alan said he had a copy already, but it was the same source.

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's of an old Lord
From: GUEST,Alan
Date: 30 Nov 12 - 04:23 AM

Thanks Mick, Steve, Jim and Tom. Found a set that works - a complete set too.
Another one bites the dust!
Alan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's of an old Lord
From: GUEST,Alan
Date: 07 Dec 12 - 07:30 AM

Thanks to everyone for their help. I found a broadside in the Bodleian to supplement RVW's verses.
Alan