Origins: Rumsty-Tyburn-Beggar-man song,

Subject: Origins: Rumsty-Tyburn-Beggar-man song,
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 14 Apr 20 - 12:08 PM

I'm looking for information on the song which goes
A beggar-man laid him down to sleep (X 2)
Rumsty o, rumsty o
On the banks of the Mersey wide and deep
Rumsty o, rummsty o

He is assaulted, the tormentors are arrested and hanged on Tyburn Hill

I heard Peggy Seeger sing it numerous times and it is included on the second, 'Second Crop unpublished album which I'm attempting to annotate
Ant help would be appreciated - collection - source - alternative title
Many thanks
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Origins: Rumsty-Tyburn-Beggar-man song,
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 14 Apr 20 - 01:11 PM

Goddit thanks

Folk songs of Old New England, Eloise Hubbard Linscott ((1962)
Jim

Subject: RE: Origins: Rumsty-Tyburn-Beggar-man song,
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 14 Apr 20 - 03:46 PM

Any explanation why those who committed an assault on Merseyside were hanged so far away in London?

Subject: RE: Origins: Rumsty-Tyburn-Beggar-man song,
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 15 Apr 20 - 03:16 AM

No Richard -t's a rather od but highly enjoyable songs not very common as far as I can find
The albums are a great addition to our folk song repertoire - I'm gald they were re-discovered - a must-have
Jim

Tyburn Hill (Roud 2746)
A beggar man laid him down to sleep,
Rumsty o, Rumsty o (x2)
On the banks of the Mersey so wide and deep,
Rumsty Rumsty o, Rumsty o (x2)

Two thieves come walking by that way, (x2)
And they come to the place where the beggar man lay
Rumsty o, Rumsty o (x2)

They stole his wallet, they stole his staff,
Rumsty-O, Rumsty-O,
They stole his wallet, they stole his staff,
Then them two thieves begun to laugh
Rumsty-O, Rumsty-O.

As I was going down Newgate stairs,
Rumsty-O, Rumsty-O,
As I was going down Newgate stairs,
I head them two thieves saying their prayers,
Rumsty-O, Rumsty-O.

As I was going up Tyburn Hill,
Rumsty-O, Rumsty-O,
As I was going up Tyburn Hill,
I saw them two thieves hanging there still,
Rumsty-O, Rumsty-O.

As remembered from the singing of Dr. Frank Allen Hubbard, who learned it from his father, Dr. Simeon Pease Hubbard, more than eighty-five years ago. This song is recalled as being very effective when sung to the accompaniment of a concertina.
The melody of this song is very old} both tune and text are traditional in the Hubbard family.
The last execution on Tyburn gallows took place in 1783. From that time, Newgate was the scene of capital punishment for Middlesex. The beggar’s staff is known for its greasy sleekness.
Folk Songs of Old New England, Eloise Hubbard Linscott(1932),