What songs are native to Derbyshire?

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,LynnH
Date: 10 Feb 21 - 10:56 AM

Given various states at the moment: Covid, Brexshit, financial situation etc., I can't see me getting over to the UK let alone Derbyshire for a long while. I'll have to see if I can find a way to send Keith K. some of my Derbyshire songs.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: mg
Date: 09 Feb 21 - 11:56 PM

i was so hoping to go back last year...at daffodil time...they were just everywhere. i thought it would be a pastoral land full of rolling hills etc...not where i went..which was very near bonsall..pouring down rain and the hills were like steep cliffs that you would have to rope up for. i stayed in town and went up a nice funicular up other steep cliffs..nice restaurant on top..tour of a mine but i forwent it for food. love traveling in england..railpass is so easy compared to other countries and plus they speak english..i had such problems with trains in france...

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Feb 21 - 07:08 PM

The Amber Band have an album called "County Fair" which has 12 original songs which each deal with an historical event, myth or legend connected with Derbyshire. The album is on all the major online streaming sites. Here is a link to Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/32yvlT1VL4hVMXO6P8iYmH

You can also hear all the songs on their website (go to "Videos" on the website). https://theamberband.co.uk/

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jan 19 - 12:25 AM

Off topic - but that's the beauty of this site isn't it? I remember many of the old fellows in Leicester around the Forties pronounced the name rather as Dairby (but in the old Leicester manner with the "air" vowel rather forward). Has Derby suffered the fate of Shrewsbury and others?

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 10 Jan 19 - 04:39 AM

It's almost impossible to add to the remarkable contributions above.
I can only offer some, as yet unwritten, parodies:
The Whatstandwell linesman;
Elvaston oh Elvaston;
Twenty-four hours from Belper.
I could go on.
Dave Baah. (Strong in'th arm and wick in'th 'ead).

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: The Sandman
Date: 09 Jan 19 - 04:29 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_yjf4nSeWc

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: The Sandman
Date: 09 Jan 19 - 04:28 PM

Quakers do not sing at meetings, I went to a Quaker school, on the occasion of the bay of pigs confontation we were all ordered to an assembly and WE SANG for those in danger on the sea.Iam a Quaker, and i sing.here i am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_yjf4nSeWc

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jan 19 - 01:37 PM

I am descended from the Bonsalls of Derbyshire and others as well. They were Quakers and were involved in the William Penn ships to Pennsylvania. they founded Darby, pa. there is a connection to george fox. i believe he was imprisoned in derbyshire. so there could be some songs about all this...did quakers sing?

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 09 Jan 19 - 08:46 AM

A bi of thread creep here but going back nearly nine years to a post about The Bullock Smithy, The programme was part of the Ballad of the Northwest series which was a BBC Northwest production for local consumption when other areas around the country had their own regional programmes. The programme in question was called "The Great Lead Rush" and the Radio Times listing for this programme is as follows.
Ballad of the Northwest

Tuesday 7th August 1973 BBC1 10:15pm Colour

The Great Lead Rush

The Story in music and song of fortunes made and lost, miners brawling in the streets, battles underground not in the Yukon but Derbyshire during the boom years of lead mining in the 18th century.

Narrator Harry Boardman

Music Bullock Smithy

Producer Douglas Boyd

BBC North West

Sadly all that remains of the programmes are some audio recordings made by pointing a microphone in front of the TV speaker and not very good quality, some scripts and various notes which I've put here Harry Boardman Facebook page (Sadly not the Great Lead Rush but I'll check my audio tapes when I get home.)

More info about Ballad of the Northwest and Harry Boardman here http://www.library.folknorthwest.co.uk/harry_boardman.htm

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 08:09 AM

any one have the words for jack sparas marras olease.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 26 Oct 17 - 03:29 AM

EG
If you're prepared to sign up to Google
I've found their "Drive" storage quite good for sharing files and folders.
Create some sensible folders before uploading stuff.
There is some info here
https://www.gcflearnfree.org/print/googledriveanddocs/getting-started-with-google-drive?playlist=Google_Drive

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Eppy Grailsthorpe
Date: 25 Oct 17 - 05:45 PM

Hi again folks, for those interested we have a rough mp3 recording of Tip o' Derwent sung at home tonight by Gerald's nephew. Can someone advise me how to upload? Thanks.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Eppy Grailsthorpe
Date: 25 Oct 17 - 04:47 PM

Hello Benita, Keith Kendrick, Dave C and everyone,
It's taken time to get round to visiting Mudcat but we are delighted to see this thread about Derbyshire songs including reference to Gerald's Tip o' Derwent. Gerald is very much alive & well in the Scottish Highlands, currently raising his glass of wine to everyone who remembers him & his songs. Great to see Benita's reference to the lovely & talented Frank Sutton. I knew Frank & loved his songs Benita, would love to sing Little John's End again if you have the tune or any recordings.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Benita Sutton-Cegarra
Date: 22 Jun 17 - 04:34 PM

Dave Chapman. I remember your name.
I will look for the words
If you're on Facebook, look me up - no Sutton
My grandfather was one of a kind!
I will publish the words from Charlie Sparrer's Marrer on here. Who else knows the actions?
Benita x

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Dave Chapman
Date: 05 May 16 - 06:09 PM

This thread certainly has legs. In the eighties i lived in Dronfield and was a regular at the Old Tup Folk Club in the Midland Hotel. This club was run by Frank Sutton and I still sing some of his songs. I did wonder if I might be the last man standing when it comes to singing Frank's gently humourous songs. Sadly the old brain has forgotten many of the lyrics so can I plead with Frank's daughter Benita to publish and be loved.
I am trying to find the words to one of my favourites, The Race On Bonsall Moor if you could help, and Charlie's Marrer has holes in it. If you need help I will travel.
Lovely to hear from you - Your grandad was a regular at the club too sitting quietly by your dad as he kept us in order and I still remember your dad's guitar with the fretwork soundhole.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: Musket
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 05:50 AM

Some of this takes me back.. I recall at one point, possibly early '80s, one of the sing around tents at Stainsby Festival had Derbyshire song sessions? I have a vague recollection of hearing a few people and songs from this thread in that setting (and others) and me singing a rock song I wrote, (Wards Ales were responsible for my outburst, not me) on the basis I come from Creswell so therefore it is a Derbyshire song.....)

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,LynnH
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 03:35 AM

One could make a case for saying that "The Uttoxeter Souling Song" is actually a Derbyshire song. The text was noted in a long forgotten Derbyshire newspaper from 1875 with the comment that 'the correspondent, Mr. Redfern, remembers hearing it sung on his uncle's farm at Doveridge in the 1830s.' Doveridge is in Derbyshire......

I have a very vague memory of Frank Sutton singing "The Drunken Butcher of Tideswell" at the Druids club in Derby.

Gerald Short must be getting on a bit!

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Benita Sutton-Cegarra
Date: 26 Nov 14 - 06:30 PM

I was mistaken - Gerald Short is still alive and kicking! Hello Gerald if you read this. I still remember you, even if I was quite small when you moved.

More songs Frank Sutton wrote:
- Jimmy Queer
- Charlie Short (the astronaut)
- Sam of the Tinsley Tirol
- Don't Tax me grog
- Don't weep in your ale

He also collected a Derbyshire song in Tideswell in 1965 called "The Drunken Butcher"

I'm still looking, so there will be more!

Benita

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 19 Nov 14 - 05:56 PM

http://archive.org/stream/cu31924013509926/cu31924013509926_djvu.txt

Above link is to the archive scanned text of the book I mentioned. Below is a little of the header information. The whole makes fascinating reading.
Robbie

The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.

THE BALLADS & SONGS of DERBYSHIRE
With Illustrative Notes, and Examples of the
Original Music, etc.



EDITED BY
LLEWELLYNN JEWITT, F.S.A., &c, &c.
LONDON : ,BEMROSE AND LOTHIAN, 21, PATERNOSTER ROW.
DERBY : BEMROSE AND SONS, IRONGATE.

MDCCCLXVII.
BEMROSE AND SONS, PRINTERS, DERBY.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 14 - 05:02 PM

Squire Frith's hunting Song is aabout a legendary squire from near chepel en le frith. I was trying to find the words as sung by some friends of mine and found the original in the transcript of a book of Derbyshire songs from the mid 19th century.

I will go back and see if I can refind it and post a link.

Just noticed I'm not signed in will sign in and come back
Robbie Wison

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 14 - 02:22 PM

Coope, Boyes and Simpson contribute a number of songs as well as Sarah Matthews.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Alan Morley - UK Folk Music
Date: 19 Nov 14 - 12:24 PM

I know this one is about Ilkeston, Derbyshire - I wrote it ;)
Goin' Down To Ilson

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 19 Nov 14 - 08:00 AM

Regarding the Pentrich Rebellion there is Bill Prince's "Nottingham Captain" - the name given to one of it's leaders Jeremiah Brandreth.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Benita Sutton-Cegarra
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 08:42 PM

Frank Sutton was my dad and sadly died of cancer in 2003.

From time to time, I search the web for any references to him and have not come across this thread before. He and his songs get a mention or two above.

Frank Sutton collected poems from around Derbyshire and South Yorkshire and set them to music - The Cow i' th' Gate mentioned above being one of these. He also wrote many of his own songs with Derbyshire themes, including Charlie Sparrer's Marrer also mentioned above, which has actions that I've known all my life :-)

He wrote a series of songs about a chap called Sam, including "Sam pick up thi musket" and "Health and Beauty" and another set of songs about "Joe Biggin". He also wrote "Jonny Derbyshire" for the same competition as Ian Carter wrote "Ey Up Me Duck". I went to the final of the competition with my dad and seem to remember you singing it, Ian!

He had a dabble with a Derbyshire take on Bluegrass in the early '90s, writing a song called "The Hope Valley Line" about the railway line, name-checking all the stations from Totley tunnel onwards.

My personal favourite of all his songs is "The River Don" although that is about South Yorkshire rather than Derbyshire.

There are decades of recordings in my mum's loft that I hope I will one day find time to catalogue and publish.

Gerald Short is also mentioned above. He was a good friend of my dad and he made my dad's guitar. He did indeed move to Scotland many moons ago, but I believe is sadly no longer with us either.

This thread has made me smile a lot, as I grew up with a lot of the songs mentioned. Thank you x

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 12:27 PM

Theres a building (a barn) in South Wingfield opposite the pub where the rioters were held overnight in chains before being taken to Derby for trial and execution. It is popularly reckoned to be haunted and people have heard strange noises coming out of there at night.

On the wall of The Dog pub in Pentrich there are some contemporary looking woodcut type engravings in frames. And I thought I saw a broadside type execution type ballad. Maybe my memory plays tricks - perhaps someone who lives nearby still, could check it our for me.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: DMcG
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 05:27 AM

It's not as easy to find on the website as I would like, but this EFDSS link is a great way of answering this type of question

Map of Collector's sources

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 04:45 AM

Al,

Not sure that it did. According to this article at mustrad.org.uk:

"The Pentrich rising (1817) and its overt acts of rebellion amongst workers...and others like them all passed without obvious recourse to broadside balladry".

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 04:10 AM

Surely there must be some broadside ballads about the fate of the Pentrich rioters. Big case at the time....as they say. Captain Swing and all that malarkey.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Don Wise
Date: 26 Jul 13 - 01:46 PM

"The Bakewell Witches"..........once performed by (Mr?) Gladstone's Bag. Written by a certain Don Wise who has now made it available to Bakewell Museum as an mp3 for their Bakewell Witches section. How I came to do this is another story!

To carry on blowing my own trumpet, way back in the 1970s I wrote a few more songs around Derbyshire legends and stories such as "Three Valiant Lads", "Hannah Baddeley"(I've never heard Ian Carter's take on the story-honest!)........I'll have to find a way of getting them over to someone in Derbyshire who might hopefully put t'one or t'other into circulation (I now live in Germany).

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Folkboy
Date: 12 Jul 11 - 05:26 AM

You can now add to this list "Alice in the Bacon Box" by young Derbyshire singer Lucy Ward. The song is based on the true story of loved vagrant Alice Grace of Little Eaton Derbyshire. The track appears on her album "Adelphi Has to Fly" and is also on a recent Navigator sampler.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 04:22 PM

I found this song entitled "Derbyshire Miners' Song" in a small book "Lead Mining in the Peak District" by G.H. Brierley (Dalesman Books, 1977). No source is given but it states that the song tells the story of two lead mines close to each other, Blobber Mine and Windmill Ledge. Miners from the old Blobber Mine deliberately headed their passages towards the newly established Windmill Ledge Mine to prove their claim to a newly found vein, which they were already working. The dispute was referred to a court by the miners of Windmill, but the claim of the Blobber miners was upheld and the Windmill Ledge mine closed soon afterwards.


Ye miners near to Wirksworth,
I beg you lend an ear :
'Tis of a famous contest
The truth I now declare.
'Tis of an ancient groove, lads,
Called Blobber in those days;
The other, new established was,
And called the "Windmill Ledge".

To this ancient mine called Blobber,
Its Agent once came down,
Found every man on duty,
And said "I now make one".
Before we lose our rights, lads,
We'll work for nights and days,
And in the end we will contend
With this mine called "Windmill Ledge".

Our Agent, he sink east, lads,
Down by the Windmill shaft,
While underground by west, lads,
He drove amazing fast.
Till Windmill Ledge being overtopped,
In less than 20 days,
They drew their tools, went off like fools,
From this mine called "Windmill Ledge".

Success to our employers,
With the courage stout and bold,
And for their good endeavours
May they reap a hundredfold,
And may we meet in Heaven at last,
And when numbered are our days,
And while we live, may God forgive
The men of the "Windmill Ledge".

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: Smokey.
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 08:14 PM

Creswell? Did you know a guitarist called Rob Fox?

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 09:09 AM

Phil Horsham also wrote a song called Eyup Mi' Duck many many years ago, but that was about Worksop.

Dunno about Derbyshire songs, but as a Creswell lad, I always used to say;

I'd rather live in Hope than die in Shirebrook.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: johnadams
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 08:01 PM

More haste less speed....

Saturday 18th Dec 2010 7:30pm

Ey Up Mi Duck Rides Again Again
with John Titford, Keith Kendrick, Sylvia Needham & John Adams
Florence Nightingale Hall in Holloway, Derbyshire.
[Grid reference SK 325 563; PostCode DE4 5AQ]

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: johnadams
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 07:45 PM

Nice one Ian. It works well as a monologue.

All being well and snowstorms allowing, we'll be singing The Spire That Aspired on Saturday night as part of the Ey Up Mi Duck Rides Again Again show in Holloway, Derbyshire. There'll also be quite a few of the songs mentioned in this thread.

Ey Up Mi Duck Rides Again Again
with John Titford, Keith Kendrick, Sylvia Needham & John Adams
Florence Nightingale Hall in Holloway, Derbyshire.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Ian Carter
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 12:09 PM

If anyone's interested, there's a YouTube video of me performing "The Spire That Aspired" as a monologue.
Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoDH0GIBVVc

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Walter
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 04:56 PM

Hello,

I've got a (pretty worn out)cassette from the 70s on which there is
The Song of the Derbyshire Man; Ring, dong, dilly dong; Four pence a day; It's true, me lads; It's dark as a dungeon; In the dear old county of Cornwall; Home-made brew, and John Barleycorn.

And it says there very clearly "Song of the Derbyshire man was written by Ken Campbell.

I like this song, too.

Best wishes :-)
Walter

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 05:50 PM

Jack Jones Re Song of the Derbyshire Man
Dear Ian
The song was broadcast on T.V. in the 70s and performed by "The Bullock Smithy" T.B.S. were a folk group within The Derbyshire Caving Club. I believe they created the song from scratch but I could be wrong. I am still a member of the D.C.C. and should you wish to pursue the matter further please contact me and I will put you in contact with those who may be able to help.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Ian Carter
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 04:09 PM

The excellent "Map of Derbyshire" (Muckram Wakes' first album) has some delightful local material on it, some of which is being revived by John Tams with the Derbyshire Volunteers.

As mentioned above, some of my own songs include:
"Ey Up Mi Duck";
"The Spire That Aspired" - about the Crooked Spire in Chesterfield (the town's motto is "Aspire");
"Two Sisters" - a re-setting of the traditional ballad;
"Three Ships" - a Derbyshire lyric dug up by the late Rick Scollins and set to my own tune (with a range of an octave and a half);
"Hannah Baddaley" - about the Lover's Leap in Stoney Middleton, where Hannah jumped but missed;
"Jacky Turner, the Walking Stationer" - about a Derby character who used his initiative to get round some petty rules about selling broadsheets;
"Anthony Lingard" - a never-yet-performed marathon about a young man who was gibbeted after execution; interestingly, as a result of the soldiers taking a wrong turn and carrying his coffin through Chatsworth Park, we now have a right of way.

Plus, of course, the suite: "Waltzers and Wonders: the Wakes is in Town" (CD available, live show coming up at Broadstairs Festival 2010).

If anyone wants more information about any of these, please email me:
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: johnadams
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 11:29 AM

If John MacKenzie didn't ever hear the tune to 'Tip O'Derwent' (see above) then it can be heard on the latest podcast of 'Rolling Round the Ryburn', broadcast on PhoenixFM this morning, sung by Ram's Bottom led by Keith Kendrick and including the unmistakable harmony voice of Barry Coope.

Rolling Round The Ryburn about 6 minutes in.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 10:11 AM

What constitutes Derbyshire? A couple of years ago at Bromyard we were singing in the beer tent when Ken Johnson (Derbyshire) turned to me (Yorkshire) and said, "What about doing one of our songs Paul?" I was nonplussed for a minute and then realised he was dead right. It's not a matter of what some burocrat decides as he redraws lines on administrative maps. We belong with the people who share our customs and beliefs and who live close enough for us to recognise this. So Ken and I started up with …'Holmfirth Anthem'. :-) Go figure.
Paul

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: SylviaN
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 09:54 AM

Sarah Matthews and Doug Eunson do a great version of the King of Rome as well.

If you want to hear the songs Ian Carter wrote that are in the show "Waltzers and Wonders", the RAM Company are performing the show at the Cheltenham Folk Festival (on the Sunday), it also includes 2 songs by John Tams and one written by Sarah.

We'd love to hear you sing the choruses.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,AndyC
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 09:35 AM

The 'pigeon fancier' song mentioned by Ian above must be Dave Sudbury's wonderful 'King of Rome' - the best-known version is by June Tabor but Dave's original is much better -->

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y97SXJR8cVo

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 08:57 AM

but its message is universal,it could be about a miner from anywhere.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Ian Mather
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 12:11 PM

Thanks for clearing that up. Many many years ago, I was told it was a Derbyshire song and that Bill Lowndes had written it. As my family have a musical past, i wondered if...

But then I was told Bill Lowndes was Cornish. So there you go. You have solved it for us.

Ah well, thirty odd years ago I was singing it claiming it was a Derbyshire song!

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 11:55 AM

sun and the moon is a song anbout a cornish miner.
bill lowndes wrotethe song and lived in cornwall, it has nothing to do with derbyshire

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Ian Mather
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 11:12 AM

Well, as a Derbyshire lad myself, I heard many songs written locally about local events / people I suppose.

A couple that spring to mind are "The Sun and The Moon" (I have heard this as being Cornish as well as Derbyshire, and I once heard Mick Peat say it was written by a bloke called Lowndes, which is a surname in our family, so a possible Derbyshire there?)

Mitch sings a song, can't remember it right now, about a pigeon fancier in Derby. Can't recall if it is his or somebody else's.

Interesting to hear of a song written in 1979 called Eyup Mi' Duck. A song of that name was written about the same time by a Somerset lad living at the time in Worksop called Phil Horsham. Different lyrics, and two miles over the border....

Shirebrook Shanty is a Derbyshire "song" but more of an in joke for anybody who has been drinking at the Drum over the years.

Hey ho.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,SmickleJ.
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 07:48 AM

Has anyone heard of a folk-type song that begins with the words ... 'I'll sing you a song about my Derbyshire' ? I first heard it sung in The Blue Bell Inn at Farnah Green, near Belper, Derbyshire in about 1990, by a trio of barber-shop singers, who just burst in and started performing (to everyone's delight). Seem to recall they could have been from Belper Operatic Society? Would appreciate anyone's help in tracing this song.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 07:23 PM

Not sure wether this one is particularly Derbyshire , but I was told the last wife sale recorded was in about 1933 in Derbyshire !!

JOHN HOBBS

A jolly shoemaker John Hobbs, John Hobbs,
A jolly shoemaker was he.
He married Jane Carter,
No damsel looked smarter,
But He's caught a tartar,
Yes, he's caught a tarter, John Hobbs, did he.

He tied a rope to her, John Hobbs, John Hobbs
He tied a rope to her did he,
To scape from hot water
To Smithfield he brought her,
But nobody bought her
They all were afraid of Jane Hobbs, were they

"Oh who'll buy a wife?" says Hobbs, John Hobbs
"A sweet pretty wife," says he.
But somehow they tell us,
The wife dealing fellows
Were all of them sellers
And none of them wanted Jane, did they

"Oh where is the rope?" says Hobbs, John Hobbs
"Come give me the rope" says he;
"I won't stand to wrangel,
Myself I will strangle,
And hang dingle dangle;"
He died in a tangle, John Hobbs did he.


Below is the extra verse and alternate end to 4th verse in happy ending version.

.... And hang dingle dangle"
He hung dingle dangle, John Hobbs did he.

But down his wife cut him, John Hobbs, John Hobbs,
But down his wife cut him, John Hobbs;
With a few hubble bubbles
They settled their troubles,
Like most married couples,
Oh happy shoemaker, John Hobbs, is he.

Subject: RE: What songs are native to Derbyshire?
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 05:15 PM

Have just come across this book:

The ballads & songs of Derbyshire. With illustrative notes, and examples of the original music, etc (1867)