Origins: Three Merry Men of Kent

Subject: Origins: Three Merry Men of Kent
From: Speedwell
Date: 04 Jun 13 - 04:19 PM

Does anyone know any history of this song? I originally heard it from a Druids LP. Is it Dibdin ? I know it's in the Chappell book (Popular Music of the Olden Time) but believe it could be earlier. Thanx in advance.

Subject: RE: Origins: Three Merry Men of Kent
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 04 Jun 13 - 04:58 PM

Chappell PMOT gives the earlier references to the ballad opera The Jovial Crew (1731) using the air as Three Merry Men of Kent. You can see that here: The Jovial Crew - And he that will not merry, merry be.

His earlier reference is to Folly In Print (1667) as Three Merry Boyes of Kent. I can't see that (it's online at U,Mich if you have access), but you can see an index entry for it here: Poems in Folly In Print: Poem Title: Three merry Boyes of Kent. To the Tune of an old song, beginning thus I rode from England into France. Or to the Tune of Sir John Sucklings Ballad.

Mick

Subject: RE: Origins: Three Merry Men of Kent
From: Speedwell
Date: 05 Jun 13 - 04:02 AM

Many thanx for that Mick. There's a verse there that's not on the Druid's version from Pastime with Good Company.
Appreciate your reply. Regards D.