Help: Jolly Beggarman/We'll go no more a-rovin

Subject: Jolly Beggarman/We'll go no more a-rovin
From: michaelr
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 06:57 PM

Just saw this in the Richard Dyer-Bennet thread, credited to Lord Byron.

So we'll go no more a-roving So late into the night, Though the heart be still as loving, And the moon be still as bright. For the sword outwears the sheath, And the soul wears out the breast, And the heart must pause to breathe, And love itself must rest. Though the night was made for loving, And the day return too soon, Yet we'll go no more a-roving By the light of the moon

It's been a long, long time but I seem to remember that part of that poem is turns up as chorus to a song called "The Jolly Beggar" or some such.

Can anyone shed light on the connection?

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Help: Jolly Beggarman/We'll go no more a-rovin
From: GUEST,Van Lingle
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 08:19 PM

One version of that song is found on the first Planxty album (affectionately known as the Black Album by some). The chorus, the way I hear it, goes: We'll go no more a rovin', a rovin' in the night,
We'll go no more a rovin', 'lest the moon shines s'bright.
We'll go no more a rovin'.

vl

Subject: RE: Help: Jolly Beggarman/We'll go no more a-rovin
From: Don Firth
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 08:36 PM

I'm not too sure that there actually is a connection. The "a-rovin'" line shows up in a lot of different songs e.g., "I'll go no more a-rovin' with you, fair maid" and God knows how many other songs. It's sort of the "moon/June" of folk songs; a stock phrase that floats from song to song.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Help: Jolly Beggarman/We'll go no more a-rovin
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 08:42 PM

The connection is the chorus; Byron borrowed a couple of lines. The songs are otherwise unrelated. Planxty recorded an arrangement of a Scottish set of The Jolly Beggar (Child 279) if I remember correctly.

The subject has come up a number of times in the past; see, for example Lyr Req: And we'll gang nae mair a roving

Subject: RE: Help: Jolly Beggarman/We'll go no more a-rovin
From: michaelr
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 09:56 PM

Thanks, Malcolm, that clears it up.

Subject: RE: Help: Jolly Beggarman/We'll go no more a-rovin
From: Don Firth
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 11:25 PM

Gad! Learn sup'n new every day!

Don Firth