Subject: Hopping Down In Kent From: Alan Of Australia Date: 04 Jun 97 - 07:39 PM Does anyone have words to this song? It's about harvesting hops in Kent. The Albion Band did a version. Cheers, Alan |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: Bert Hansell Date: 05 Jun 97 - 12:39 PM My Dad used to sing that. I don't remember much of it though Hopping is all over, money is all spent how I wish I'd never went, Hopping down in kent With an E - I - O , E - I - O, E- I - E - I - O If anyone knows any more i'd like it too. Bert. |
Subject: Lyr Add: HOPPING DOWN IN KENT From: GUEST,one-roger Date: 23 Jan 02 - 07:59 PM HOPPING DOWN IN KENT (Trad) Hopping's just beginning; we've got some time to spend. We've only come down hopping to earn a quid if we can. With a T I AY T I AY T I E I AY Early Monday morning just at six o'clock, You'll hear them hoppers calling, "Get up and boil your pots." With a T I AY T I AY T I E I AY Every Tuesday morning the Tally he'll come round, With a bag of money and he'll plop it on the ground. With a T I AY T I AY T I E I AY Says, "Do you want some money?" "Yes, sir, if you please, To buy a hock of bacon and a lump of moldy cheese." With a T I AY T I AY T I E I AY Now here comes our old Measure with his long nose and chin, And his ten-gallon basket and don't you pop 'em in. With a T I AY T I AY T I E I AY Now hopping is all over; all the money spent. Don't I wish I'd never gone a-hopping down in Kent! With a T I AY T I AY T I E I AY I say one; I say two; no more hopping I shall do. T I AY T I AY T I E I AY Ó |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST,McGrath of Harlow Date: 23 Jan 02 - 08:43 PM I've always wondered whether the TIO instead of EIO thayt yoiu find in lots of songs has some significance - like was it a joke of some kind, and the TIO stood for something? |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST,MCP, Lyric Add Date: 24 Jan 02 - 04:05 AM Here's the version as sung by the very lively Louie Fuller, who IIRC did go hop-picking in her youth. This was collected in 1967 by Ken Stubbs and is in "The English Folksinger" - Sam Richards & Tish Stubbs I haven't time just now, but I'll put the tune up a bit later. Mick HOPPING DOWN IN KENT Now some say hopping's lousy I don't believe it's true |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: The Shambles Date: 24 Jan 02 - 04:26 AM In the early 70s I did spend a season picking hops, in next door East Sussex. Machines did most of the work at this time but the experience was certainly worth a new song.
For the month of September all those on the dole were instructed to work on the hop picking or lose their dole money.
The first day was quite a sight, with all the long-term non-workers and 'ner-do-wells' turning out. These thinned out toward the end of the first week however. Mind you the lot that was left (including me) were an interesting enough bunch........... |
Subject: Lyr Add: HOPPING DOWN IN KENT (Mary Ann Haynes) From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 24 Jan 02 - 06:48 AM The song seems only to have been noted from a few Traveller (Gypsy) women, and in the second half of the 20th century. Here is another:
HOPPING DOWN IN KENT
(Mary Ann Haynes, Sussex, 1974. Noted by Mike Yates)
Now hopping's just beginning,
Now early Monday morning,
Now early Tuesday morning,
They say all hopping's lousy,
Early Saturday morning,
Hopping is all over,
I say one, I say two, This appeared, together with Louise Fuller's set as quoted by Mick above, in Mike Yates' article English Gypsy Songs (Folk Music Journal vol.3 no.1, 1975). The tune, as she sang it, contained a number of variations; the midis listed below are for verses 1, 3 and 7. They will make their way in time to the Mudcat Midi Pages: meanwhile they can be heard via the South Riding Folk Network site:
Hopping Down in Kent (verse 1)
I have omitted a couple of grace notes, and, in verse 3, combined a couple of notes and split another to accomodate the lyric. There were also variations in verses 4 and 5. Incidentally, the performance of Hopping Down in Kent on Topic's Voice of the People Volume 5: Come All My Lads That Follow The Plough, though credited to Mary Ann Haynes, is actually by Louise Fuller; there was a mix-up when the masters were being prepared.
The text Roger quotes above looks to be from the Albion Dance Band; they recorded an arrangement of the Haynes version, collated with parts of the Fuller one, though the sleevenotes (The Prospect Before Us, Harvest/EMI 1977) weren't that specific. I should imagine they got the material from the FMJ. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST,MCP, Tune Add Date: 24 Jan 02 - 07:10 AM Here is the Louie Fuller tune: Mick Now/some say hop=ping's/lous-y I/don't be-lieve it's/true We/on-ly go down/hop-ping to/pick a hop or/two// With me/tee aye o/Tee aye o/tee aye ee aye/o// X: 1 T:Hopping Down In Kent M:4/4 L:1/4 K:C G|c c c c|G2 G G|c d c B|G2 z G| c d c B|G2 G F|E D E F|G2|| G> E|C C C2| E F G2| c c d B|c2||
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Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST,Simon Date: 16 Feb 09 - 06:56 PM I remember playing the Albion Dance Band LP when my grandad was around, and he immediately recognised 'Hopping Down in Kent' as a song he used to sing when he spent summers away from Pimlico (contrary to popular opinion, not all London hop-pickers were from the East End!), hop-picking in the Horsmonden area, probably in the 1920s/30s. Apparently, the words could be changed according to circumstances, they weren't set in stone. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 17 Feb 09 - 01:49 AM Variant. TRUCKING DOWN IN KENT. I think truckings lousy On the M2 motorway. If I had more time to spend I'd go another way..... In my TIR, TIR, TI-E-IR. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: The Doctor Date: 17 Feb 09 - 05:00 AM Martyn Wyndham-Read uses this song in his Christmas show 'Maypoles to Mistletoe'. This is available on CD on the Country Branch label, CBCD 091. It was also recorded earlier by Leader and that has been CD'd by Dave Bulmer, but that one doesn't have the Hopping song on anyway. It's been produced in book form for anyone who wants to perform it, so complete with words and music, published by EPS, ISBN 978-1-905637-35-5. I got my copy from Amazon but if they're no longer doing it I can put you in touch with the authors. Martyn uses Louie Fuller's version, with, incidentally, verse 3 as 'Every Sunday morning' and verse 4 'Now Monday is our washday'. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST,John from Elsie`s Band Date: 17 Feb 09 - 05:39 AM Alan of Australia, Hear our version of "Hopping Down in Kent" on MySpace. Dave Watts is responsible for some of the verses. Also try my song. "T.I.R., T.I.R." on eZfolk I wrote in the 70`s reflecting the increasing amount of European road haulage we were seeing in Kent. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: Tradsinger Date: 17 Feb 09 - 10:31 AM Here's the version from Ray Driscoll, including a reference to the sanitary arrangements: When you go down hopping, hopping down in Kent When it's raining every day, you'll wish you never went Chorus with my ti-ay-oh, ti-ay-oh, ti ay ee ay oh. They say hopping makes you lousy, but we know it isn't true We only go down hopping to earn a bob or two When we use the karsey, sitting on the pole, You have to keep your balance or you fall back in the hole They say you come home lousy sleeping in a tent But we only go down hopping to help to pay the rent. Monday is a washing day, to wash our shirts so clean They wash them in the gallipot and hang them on the green. When we come home from hopping, money all is spent We get no now till we go next year, hopping down in Kent. This is on his CD "Wild, Wild Berry". Tradsinger |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: Surreysinger Date: 17 Feb 09 - 12:26 PM I was lucky enough to see and hear Louie Fuller singing this at the National in the mid 90's or thereabouts. A small lady, dressed in Sunday best green, with tight little green shoes on IIRC; the session was led by Norma Waterson, who sang a song which had special memories for Louie who was dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief... and towards the end of the session she sang Hopping Down in Kent. One of the memories that I treasure from years of going to the National .... deep sigh of wistfulness!!! Re the Maypoles to Mistletoe - it's a book that I can recommend; spiral bound so that it lies flat when you wish to use it for the music; with loads of ideas on how to produce your own version ... which reminds me that I must take my copy along to be signed by the authors (Martyn Wyndham-Read and Chris Brown) at our club on Friday!!! (It is, incidentally, still on sale via Amazon at a reduced price of £18.57 (£10 cheaper than list price) - sadly cheaper than the authors are able to manage, even with their own discount from the publishers!!! |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: Steve Gardham Date: 17 Feb 09 - 06:40 PM About 10 years ago, maybe longer, the school I was teaching in put on a musical based on travellers and hop picking. Can't remember its name now but I think it was named after the main character. 'Hopping Down in Kent' was one of the main songs featured in it and I played anglo on it. Excellent musical it was and thoroughly enjoyed by all. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 18 Feb 09 - 12:28 AM Hi Elsie John... Thats where I heard it. You buggers! Cheers mate!! Often hum it when down Canterbury way. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST,John from Elsie`s Band Date: 18 Feb 09 - 06:18 AM Hi Ralphie, Long time, no hear. The last time was when we were all at a pub/club in North London. I couldn`t get to see you at Lewes but shall keep my eye out for your appearances. Keep hopping! John & "Elsie`s Band" |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: Nigel Parsons Date: 18 Feb 09 - 06:51 AM "Jumping up and down on the right foot ... Begin!" Reminds me of the 'Time & Tune' sessions in junior school! |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST,Graham Bradshaw Date: 18 Feb 09 - 08:58 AM This always reminds me of great nights at The Burnt Post, Coventry. Local singer Des Patalong used to sing this song, and all the naughty boys at the back used to hop up and down on one leg in time with it. Des was not amused, but he kept doing it, and the lads kept hopping. I can't listen to it now without images of hopping, and the real meaning has become lost. Aahh. The folk process. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST Date: 18 Feb 09 - 06:11 PM Steve, the musical about hoppers was called 'Bendigo Boswell' - it was composed by Peter Allwood (based on traditional tunes), book and lyrics by Jeremy James Taylor. It was recorded for the BBC back in 1983 by the National Youth Theatre. I remember watching it but very little else, except that the plot was basically 'Romeo and Juliet' and there was a singer who wandered through the whole thing like a greek chorus, commenting on the action to the tune of 'Rigs of the Time'. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: Steve Gardham Date: 18 Feb 09 - 06:20 PM Guest, Thanks, yep that was the one. I remember enjoying it at the time but probably because it had trad songs in it. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST,joshyboy Date: 04 Jul 10 - 07:14 PM Pete doherty sang this at lounge on the farm. Big tune! |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST,Gordon Date: 05 Jul 10 - 11:43 AM As the previous poster said, Pete Doherty did indeed sing this at the Hop Farm Festival on Saturday (3rd July). I'd never heard it before - in fact I couldn't make out if it was "Orpington in Kent" or "Hop picking in Kent"! I Googled & found this site so now know the true title. Thanks to all. Later in the day Ray Davies said that he'd actually gone hop picking nearby as a nipper. Regards, Gordon. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: Richard Bridge Date: 05 Jul 10 - 11:48 AM It is likely to have been a music hall song - the tune is the giveaway - centred on East End London experiences. Incidentally I last hopped (in this sense) probably in 1968-ish at Seasalter and by then the big hop encampments were long a thing of the past, so Ray Davies may have a lively imagination. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: fat B****rd Date: 05 Jul 10 - 12:13 PM I believe the much maligned Chas'n'Dave have a version of this song. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST Date: 05 Jul 10 - 12:18 PM Richard - re Ray Davies, he was born in 1944 so I would have thought it possible that he did go. Regards, Gordon. |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST,Derek Schofield Date: 05 Jul 10 - 06:11 PM There was a review of Hop farm festival in The Guardian today ... it said that Pete Doherty "led the crowd in countless renditions of Chas & Dave's Hopping Down on [sic] Kent". The reviewer was much less kind about Bob Dylan's performance.... Derek Schofield |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST,Grace Hyde Date: 21 Jun 11 - 05:31 AM I'm 26 and I remember going 'hopping' with my dad's family. We have pictures of the whole family there in 1988.... |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: GUEST Date: 21 Jun 11 - 05:40 AM Our family sang When you go down hopping Hopping down in Kent See Old Mother Riley Sitting on the fence With a T I O and a T I O and a T I E I O Some say hoppings lousy I don't believe it's true We only go down hopping To earn a bob or two With a T I O and a T I O and a T I E I O Sunday is our washing day And don't we wash em clean We boil em in the hopping pot And hang em on the green With a T I O and a T I O and a T I E I O Now do you want some money? Yes sir, if you please To buy a Hock of bacon And a mouldy lump of cheese With a T I O and a T I O and a T I E I O Now Hopping is all over Money is all spent Don't I wish I'd never been A hopping down in Kent With a T I O and a T I O and a T I E I O I've been singing this song since I was three when we used to go hopping and I'm now 26... it comes out every year at the old family parties- my old aunties may have forgotten some of it but that's how we sing it xxx |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: The Sandman Date: 21 Jun 11 - 05:49 AM well guest you are a traditional singer whether you like it or not, thanks for your families version |
Subject: RE: Hopping Down In Kent From: Dead Horse Date: 21 Jun 11 - 06:02 AM I am surprised at several verse omissions, notably We jump aboard the Hoppers Train, blimey aint it full Seems as if the whole wide world has come to pick and pull. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hopping Down in Kent From: GUEST,Shantyjohn Date: 03 Jul 13 - 03:00 PM Tomorrow I shall be in Gravesend. Can't imagine I'll have the opportunity to hop though. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hopping Down in Kent From: GUEST,jim bainbridge Date: 23 Dec 16 - 10:32 AM Shantyjohn- if you'd been there when we were (19981-83) there were thriving hop fields around Cobham, only a few miles outside Gravesend. We lived in an oast house- I am a bit of a country joiner but the concave walls were a bit much when making shelves, hanging pictures etc.... It's all gone now, as have the ancient orchards on the lovely walk over to the pub in Luddesdown. However the wonderful aroma from the working oast house at the top of Battle Street will live long in the memory- a great place for a good night's sleep. The hop-pickers then slept in the oast house & were mostly students at that time... I also well recall hearing Louie Fuller at Elsie's pub around that time- with her family who were more interested in talking about football & horse racing rather than listening to a fine singer..... bit like Ireland 2016! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hopping Down in Kent From: GUEST,Mike Yates Date: 24 Dec 16 - 06:00 AM Jim's comment about Louie Fuller's family having little interest in her singing reminds me of a Saturday afternoon in Oxfordshire. I had recorded some songs from Tom Newman, who then insisted that we take the recordings to his son, so that the latter could hear them. We went to the son's home and found him watching horse racing on the TV. We played the recordings, which Tom loved to hear, to a son who apparently could not care less. He just wanted to watch the racing! It really was so sad to see someone showing no pride in his father's achievements. |
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