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Subject: RE: Info/versions: William Taylor From: Steve Gardham Date: 30 Jun 21 - 05:37 PM A few have not got images uploaded but most have. Go to the search page. Type in a title. A list of images will appear. Just click on any image you want to look at. If you want it bigger just click on the magnifying glass. |
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Subject: RE: Info/versions: William Taylor From: Richard Mellish Date: 30 Jun 21 - 04:14 PM I think I used to be able to view ballads on the Bodleian website, but now (and for a long time past) whenever I click on a link I get a page that is blank apart from some small icons and the copyright notice. What's the trick to display the images? |
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Subject: RE: Info/versions: William Taylor From: Steve Gardham Date: 30 Jun 21 - 12:33 PM Richard, the version at the Bodl dated 1748 is almost the same as the earlier version, just a few stanzas less. |
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Subject: RE: Info/versions: William Taylor From: Steve Gardham Date: 29 Jun 21 - 02:46 PM The earliest extant version c1714 is in the Bodl as mentioned quite early in the thread. |
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Subject: RE: Info/versions: William Taylor From: Steve Gardham Date: 29 Jun 21 - 11:00 AM In the eighteenth century versions William and Elizabeth are simply reunited and get married and all live happily ever after. Very likely the burlesques that added the shooting and daft endings towards the end of that century. Are folk songs meant to be based on reality, even the historical ones? |
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Subject: RE: Info/versions: William Taylor From: Richard Mellish Date: 29 Jun 21 - 06:29 AM This song (in its many versions) seems a prime example of a burlesque entering the tradition as a supposedly serious story. But even if most of the story is somewhat plausible, the usual ending where the girl (a) demands pistols, which are immediately provided, and then (b) is rewarded for murdering William is not at all plausible. Did singers really take it seriously? Or is it extreme suspension of disbelief: I'll ignore how absurd this is if you will? Can someone point us to the original serious version? What happens at the end of that? |
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Subject: ADD Version:: William Taylor From: Joe Offer Date: 29 Jun 21 - 01:52 AM Up above, there was a request for a version of "William Taylor" that has a chorus that mentioned "Breezes." I heard Bev Praver sing it, so I asked her to send me the lyrics: WILLIAM TAYLOR I'll sing you a song of two true lovers, And from Linsfield town they came. The young man's name was William Taylor, The young woman's name was Sarah Jane.
Oh the vows, oh the breezes Vows and Breezes fade away William Taylor was a brisk young sailor, He who courted a lady fair; Bells were ringing, sailors singing, As to church they did repair. Thirty couple at the wedding; All were dress'd in rich array; 'Stead of William being married, He was press'd and sent away. She dress'd up in man's apparel, Man's apparel she put on; And she follow'd her true lover; For to find him she is gone. Then the Captain stepp'd up to her, Asking her: What's brought you here? I am come to seek my true love, Whom I lately loved so dear. If you've come to see your true love, Tell me what his name may be. O, his name is William Taylor, From the Irish ranks came he. You rise early tomorrow morning, You rise at the break of day; There you'll see your true love William Walking with a lady gay. She rose early the very next morning, She rose up at the break of day; There she saw her true love William; Walking with a lady gay. Sword and pistol she then order'd To be brought at her command; And she shot her true love William, With the bride on his right arm. We recorded this version at the 1976 San Diego Folk Festival from the singing of Frankie Armstrong. Bev And here's my transcription from the Frankie Armstrong album titled Encouragement WILLIAM TAYLOR I'll sing you a song of two true lovers, And from Linsfield town they came. The young man's name was William Taylor, The young woman's name was Sarah Jane.
Oh the vows, oh the breezes Vows and Breezes fade away Thirty pairs were at their wedding; They were dressed in rich array; But 'stead of William being married, He was pressed and sent to sea. So she's dressed herself in man's apparel, Gone to fight amongst the rest; The wind did blow her jacket open, There they saw her lily-white breast. So the Captain he stepped up to Sarah, Asked her what had brought her here. She cries, I'm seeking my own true lover, Whom I lately loved so dear. If you're seeking for your own true lover then, Tell me what his name may be. She cries, his name is William Taylor, From the Irish ranks came he. If your love's name be William Taylor then, He has proved to you severe, He was wed to a rich young lady, He was wed this very same day. Rise up early tomorrow morning, Early at the break of day; And you'll see your William Taylor Walking out with his lady gay. She rose early the very next morning, Early at the break of day; And she saw her William Taylor, Walking out with his lady gay. She called for a brace of pistols A brace of pistols she did command, And she shot her William Taylor With his bride at his right hand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWZYeuPHOQ4 And I found a questionable but intriguing ending to the Frankie Armstrong version:
Saying, "Fair maid, what have you done?" And he's made her his first lieutenant On his ship of 900 ton Now she's on the quarterdeck walking Sword and pistol in her hand And every time she gives orders Sailors tremble at her command http://www.scabard.dx.am/Unknown_Songbook_part_2.html |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: William Taylor From: Steve Gardham Date: 04 May 21 - 09:10 AM Brilliant parody! The fol de dol, diddly dum dum chorus comes from the burlesque 'Billy Taylor' as you would expect. Tol de dol diddly dum choruses were very popular c1800-1820. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: William Taylor From: clueless don Date: 04 May 21 - 06:41 AM The version I heard started Willie Taylor and his youthful lover full of mirth and loyalty they went to the church to be married he was pressed and sent to sea Then there's a chorus/refrain that goes "dally diddly dum, diddly dum dum dum dum, ..." etc. At the end the captain offers her a job (as noted back in '98 by Bill D), i.e. "He made her a ship's commander, over a vessel in the Isle of Man". |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: William Taylor From: Lighter Date: 04 May 21 - 06:02 AM Cool! |
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Subject: ADD Version: William Taylor (parody) From: GUEST Date: 04 May 21 - 04:11 AM WILLIAM TAYLOR William Taylor was a brisk young sailor, Full of fancy in his head, To me his mind he did uncover, Said that he and I should wed. Four and twenty British sailors, Met him on the King’s highway, As he journeyed to our wedding Pressed he was and sent away (That was his story anyway!) Fol a didllum, a diddlem dido What a load of load of twadlleum a dido day Sailor’s clothing I put on And climbed on board a man o’war, My pretty little fingers long and slender, That sailor’s tackle would explore I thought I would escape detection, Though the jargon I disdained, Just the sharp end and the blunt end, Never mind those fancy names Fo a didllum, diddlem dido What a load of twadlle-um a dido day Of my disguise I did feel proud, Suspicion none did I awake Until that day that fateful day, That I made MY FIRST MISTAKE! I’d kept my secret undiscovered, All my actions so discreet, Until that day that I forgot About that wretched toilet seat Fola a didllum, diddlem dido What a load of twadle-um a dido day The bosun followed in after me, And soon my secret did betray Turned out he was a woman also, Similarly dressed in man’s array.. Now a sailor’s work is hard and heavy And very soon there came to pass, That multiple wardrobe malfunctions, Uncovered many another lass Fol a didllum, a diddlem dido What a load of twadlle-um a dido day And now to prune the number of verses, Not cut a short story long, It turned out that this man of war, Was crewed by women to a man. All of us girls had thus embarked, Putting on a man’s attire, Were all engaged to William Taylor, That fifty timing bloody liar Fo a didllum, diddlem dido What a load of twadlleum a dido day So think about those men of war, That sailed upon the ocean blue, Crossing of the T with Nelson, Made up of women in their crew, Now men of war don’t often need, Into a parking space reverse, So this fact went undetected, (Perhaps I should have left out this verse?) Fol a didllum, a diddlem dido What a load of twadlleum a dido day And so us girls we all demoted, Napoleon way down our list, First we’ll settle the score with William Taylor After which he won’t be quite as brisk!! When we get hold of William Taylor, He’ll rue he saw the light of day, Is that him over there dressed as a woman, To try to escape what’s coming his way? Fo a didllum, a diddlem dido What a load of twadlle-um a dido day And so to end this long long story, You’re probably completely bored, I think one thing we know for certain It won’t be winning a folk award! Fol a didllum, a diddlem dido What a load of twadlleum a dido day (twice to finish) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: William Taylor From: Lighter Date: 03 May 21 - 03:10 PM Charles G. Leland, Songs of the Sea and Lays of the Land (1895), pp. 81-82: “There was a pause--when someone merrily Struck up a song which all have known of old; How Billy Taylor’s sweetheart went to sea, And how she fought in an engagement bold.” |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: GUEST,Strudelbag Date: 03 Jun 04 - 12:14 PM Around 1987 or '88 I heard a version on NPR with a chorus that included words about "the breezes." It may have been in a story about Mystic Seaport. Does anyone have the words to this version or know if it's been recorded? |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: GUEST,Guest Date: 03 Jun 04 - 07:19 AM There's a superb acappella version of William Taylor on Swan Arcade's last album, "Full Circle" - plus lots of other classic traditional songs. |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: GUEST,wschultz@nhpd.org Date: 02 Jun 04 - 02:48 PM The version cited by Wolfgang is nicely sung by Roger Wilson of The House Band, although I think the recording he made was on a solo album |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: Les from Hull Date: 02 Jun 04 - 02:34 PM Bodleian reference here |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: Les from Hull Date: 02 Jun 04 - 10:58 AM HMS Thunder was an often-used name for a bomb vessel (a specially constructed or adapted vessel for firing mortars from an anchored position) Between 1695 and 1833 there were no fewer than 9 of them, so take your pick. The line about making her a chief commander of a ship is pure landsman's drivel though. I do remember a final verse something like 'If all young ladies in Bath and London acted this way, how very scarce young men would be.' |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: pavane Date: 02 Jun 04 - 01:28 AM There are several versions in the Bodleian Ballad library, some under the name The Female Lieutenant or The Faithless Lover rewarded. Two examples (One of which I can't find at present) name the ship as the Thunder Bomb, which was a real ship, originally captured from the French. |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: Susanne (skw) Date: 31 May 04 - 06:05 PM Frank, Michael is now based in London. You can contact him at archmusic at onetel dot net dot uk. Also, I hope he'll be back to tour Germany with Brendan Power again next autumn. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: BILLY TAYLOR From: GUEST,Frank Ohnesorge - Die Kapellis (Irish Folk & Date: 31 May 04 - 12:20 PM My favourite version of William (Billy) Taylor is the one singing by Karin Polwart with her great band "Malinky" on their second CD called "3 Ravens". And here are the lyrics: BILLY TAYLOR Billy Taylor was a sailor He was courting a fair lady Instead of Billy getting married He was forced untae the sea But his bride soon followed after Under the name of Richard Carr Snow white fingers long and slender Covered ower wi' pitch and tar Far-da-ral-da-rum-dum-daddy Fal-da-ral-de-rum-dum-day She's dressed herself in sailor's clothing, Oh but she was a bonnie young man Away she sailed upon the ocean All aboard the Mary Anne A storm arose upon the water She being there amang the rest The wind blew off her silver buttons and There appeared her snow-white breast. Far-da-ral-da-rum-dum-daddy Fal-da-ral-de-rum-dum-day "Well now" says the captain "My dear lady, What misfortune brought you here?" "I'm in search of my true lover Whom you have pressed the other year." "Well" says the captain "My dear lady, Tell to me the young man's name" "Some folk call him Billy Taylor, William Taylor is his name." Far-da-ral-da-rum-dum-daddy Fal-da-ral-de-rum-dum-day "Well if Billy Taylor's your dear lover Then he has proved to you untrue; He's got married tae another And left you here alone to rue." "Rise ye early in the mornin', Early at the break of day And there you'll spy young Billy Taylor Walkin' oot wi' his lady gay." Far-da-ral-da-rum-dum-daddy Fal-da-ral-de-rum-dum-day She rose early up next mornin', Early at the break of day. And there she spied young Billy Taylor Walkin' oot wi' his lady gay Gun and pistol she commanded, Gun and pistol at her side; And there she shot – young Billy Taylor, Walkin' oot wi' his new-made bride. Far-da-ral-da-rum-dum-daddy Fal-da-ral-de-rum-dum-day By the way, I heard a german version of this song singing by Michael Lempelius (former Black Bush, now touring as solo-bouzouki & mandoline player) called "Willy Dose". Did anybody knows the lyrics? Yours, Frank P.S.: please visit my homepage on http://www.kapellis.de (thanks) |
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Subject: Lyr Add: BILLY TAYLOR From: Rasener Date: 31 May 04 - 11:25 AM Many years ago, I saw Cilla Fisher and Artie Trezise sing that twice, once in Scotland when I lived up there and once in Amsterdam when I lived there. It was also on an LP that they recorded, which I bought but no longer have, got worn out. I like their version BILLY TAYLOR. Cilla Fisher & Artie Trezise: For Foul Day & Fair (Kettle Records KAC-1, 1978) Side One: Sodger Laddie; Rhynie; Feein' Time; The Bothy Lads; The Jolly Beggar; BILLY TAYLOR; Laird O' the Dainty Doonby Side Two: The First Time (Archie Fisher); The Shepherd Lad; Twa recruitin' Sergeants; False Lover Won Back; The Miller; The Maid Gaed Tae the Mill; The Final Trawl (Archie Fisher) Lyrics BILLY TAYLOR Billy Taylor was a sailor Full of joy and beauty gay, 'Stead of Billy gettin' married He was pressed and forced away. A* cho: Fol rol lol, de rol lo lie do Fol rol lol, de rol lol lay. But the bride soon followed after B* Under the name of Richard Carr; Snow white fingers long and slender A' covered over wi' pitch and tar. cho: She's buttoned on the sailor's clothing, B* Dressed herself up like a man; Awa' she sailed like a tarry sailor All aboard the Mary Anne. cho: A storm arose upon the ocean, A* She bein' there amang the rest; The wind blew off her silver buttons, There appeared her snow-white breast. cho: "Now," said the captain, "My fair lady, B* What misfortune brought you here?" "I'm in search o' my true lover Whom ye pressed the other year." cho: "Now," said the captain, "My fair lady, B* Come pray tell me what's his name?" "Some folks ca' him Billy Taylor but Willie Taylor is his name." cho: "If Billy Taylor's your true lover, A* He has proved to you untrue; He got married tae another Left ye here alone to rue." cho: "Rise ye early in the mornin', B* Early by the break o' day. There ye'll see young Billy Taylor Walkin' oot wi' his lady gay." cho: She rose early the next mornin' B* Early by the break o' day; There she saw young Billy Taylor Walkin' oot wi' his lady gay. cho: Gun and pistol she's commanded, A* Gun and pistol by her side; She has shot young Billy Taylor Walkin' oot wi' his new-made bride. cho: "Now," says the captain, "My fair lady B* Come pray tell me what you've done." I have shot young Billy Taylor Wi' a double-barreled gun." cho: When the captain did behold her B: And the deed that she has done, He has made her a chief commander Over a ship and a hundred men (or gun). cho: (Note: Cilla Fisher and Artie Trezise recorded this for Folk Legacy; they use two variant melodies, Identified here as A* and B*) |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: The Borchester Echo Date: 30 May 04 - 05:11 PM The version by Bill Jones is certainly very good but unique lyrics? Pretty much how I got it from Robin Dransfield at least 30 years ago... Another fine version is sung by James Patterson on the Patterson Jordan Dipper CD Flat Earth. |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: GUEST,rosie Date: 30 May 04 - 04:53 PM there's an EXELLENT version of William Taylor sung by Bill (Belinda) Jones, and her lyrics are unique. |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: widowmaker Date: 10 Jan 01 - 04:04 PM Hi there there is a very good version of this song by a Northern Irish band called "DEANTA" Unfortunately I cant remember the name of the album but the version is well worth listening to. |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: GUEST,Bruce O. Date: 04 Jan 01 - 04:23 PM It's Laws N11, but I couldn't turn it up on the DT. There's both a comic version and a 'straight' version, but Laws does not distinguish between the two. I don't know which was the original. The straight version is "William Taylor" on the Bodley Ballads website (Mudcat's Links). The comic one is "Billy Taylor" in 'The Universal Songster', I, p. 65, 1828, complete with illustration. This one commences "Billy Taylor was a gay young fellow". After she (Richard Carr) shoots Billy Taylor she becomes first lieutenant of the gallant-- THUNDER-BOMB. |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: MAG (inactive) Date: 04 Jan 01 - 12:08 PM I do the Frankie Armstrong version, a cappella, in a minor key, with her getting the job. Great. |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: Kim C Date: 04 Jan 01 - 10:41 AM Mister and I do the Voice Squad version where the lady becomes the ship's commander. I kinda like that. :) |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: Garry Gillard Date: 04 Jan 01 - 10:09 AM I have put up the tracklist and all the lyrics for the important LP Unto Brigg Fair, including those for "William Taylor". Garry |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: Trish Date: 08 Oct 98 - 09:11 PM Thanks VERY much Wolfgang for your efforts. I am very greatgul indeed. It was also interesting to read all the other submissions. Tar, Trish |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: Bobby Bob, Isle of Man Date: 08 Oct 98 - 05:19 PM Just to return briefly to this thread - There was a version of William Taylor sung by Joseph Taylor in about the year 1908. It was recorded on a wax cylinder by Percy Grainger. At the time, Joseph Taylor was something like 72 years old, but was a remarkably good singer, whose style inspired Martin Carthy, for example. Joseph Taylor was the verger of the church at a village called Saxby All Saints in Lincolnshire. I had a sort of pilgrimage to his grave some years ago. Saxby All Saints is the next village up the road from Horkstow, where lived the miser who mistreated poor old Steeleye Span. Topic Records released an album some years ago called Unto Brigg Fair. It has recordings by Joseph Taylor, plus some other recordings of the same vintage. Listening to the voice of a man born in the 1830s and still sounding fresh, even at the age of 72 or so, is quite strange, in a way. I don't know if it's available on CD, though I think odd tracks may turn up on other compilations from the Topic Archives.. |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: Bill D Date: 06 Oct 98 - 05:00 PM and MY favorite version has the Captain offering her a job!
"Then said the Captain, 'My fair lady, pray, tell me what deed you've done"
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: Bobby Bob, Isle of Man Date: 06 Oct 98 - 04:52 PM William Taylor turns up in Ellan Vannin (the Isle of Man) as Illiam y Thalhear, and a version of the tune is used for a set dance for a couple. He also gets connected with the Isle of Man in versions of the song, such as the one by The Voice Squad, where William Taylor's Commander is so impressed by the way she comes along and shoots him dead that he makes her the Captain "of a vessel for the Isle of Man". There's also a squib version that a group here in the Isle of Man, The Mollag Band, came up with a few year's ago -
Willy was a silly bastard, Lesh dagh yeearree share, Bobby Bob |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: Ewan McV Date: 06 Oct 98 - 04:22 AM The lyric Wolfgang has just given is my favourite out of some twenty versions I've seen in print! The tune varies a lot in different publications from different countries - I seem to recall six or more versions in the Greig Duncan Collection from Scotland's North East. Then there's the Voice Squad Irish version on CD, very tasty. Sharp and other Englsih collectors always got versions that varied a bit. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: WILLIAM TAYLOR From: Wolfgang Date: 06 Oct 98 - 04:10 AM here's a version I found at this (http://www.contemplator.com/folk3/williamt.html) website: WILLIAM TAYLOR William Taylor was a brisk young sailor, He who courted a lady fair; Bells were ringing, sailors singing, As to church they did repair. Thirty couple at the wedding; All were dress'd in rich array; 'Stead of William being married, He was press'd and sent away. She dress'd up in man's apparel, Man's apparel she put on; And she follow'd her true lover; For to find him she is gone. Then the Captain stepp'd up to her, Asking her: What's brought you here? I am come to seek my true love, Whom I lately loved so dear. If you've come to see your true love, Tell me what his name may be. O, his name is William Taylor, From the Irish ranks came he. You rise early tomorrow morning, You rise at the break of day; There you'll see your true love William Walking with a lady gay. She rose early the very next morning, She rose up at the break of day; There she saw her true love William; Walking with a lady gay. Sword and pistol she then order'd To be brought at her command; And she shot her true love William, With the bride on his right arm. If young folks in Wells or London Were served the same as she served he, Then young girls would all be undone, Very scarce young men would be! From One Hundred English Folksongs (For Medium Voice) Edited by Cecil J. Sharp, Dover Publications, Inc., New York 1916, 1944, 1975 |
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Subject: RE: William Taylor From: Wolfgang Hell Date: 06 Oct 98 - 03:58 AM Trish, I have the lyrics but not with me now. If nobody else posts them I'll do it next week. Wolfgang |
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Subject: William Taylor From: Trish Date: 06 Oct 98 - 03:34 AM Unfortunately I don't know much more about this song other than the title. Makes things hard I know. Would greatly appreciate any help, love Trish |
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