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Origins: Randy old parson
DigiTrad:
THE FRIAR AND THE WELL
THE FRIAR IN THE WELL 2
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Subject: Origins: Randy old parson From: GUEST,Randy middle aged northerner! Date: 13 Jun 06 - 07:50 AM Hello you musically erudite personages - can you PleasE put a name to the performer+ album(s)- whom i think hailed from Coventry or Brum - and is/was an excellent singer guitarist and among many songs recorded "The randy old parson"??????? The premise of the song being;- A farmer in kent has a beautiful daughter whom the "parson" wants to get twixt the sheets.(tut) The Parson approaches the lissom young daughter whom, with the help of her father work out a plan to entrap the "parson" SO - she lures him into her bedroom gets him to take off his trousers at which point her father rushes in and confronts the "parson" the "parson" jumps out of the window leaving his trousers - in the pockets of which is some money (and a watch)??? (possibly) He then goes back over the hill to his wife. The first verse starts; - There once was a farmer who lived down in Kent ... I hope someone knows or can remember the writer/performer. (maybe Nick something) NO not steal - as in Nicholas!!! 70s or early eighties. Eye thangyou. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Dan Schatz Date: 13 Jun 06 - 03:11 PM This sounds like a version of "The Friar in the Well" of which there have been many versions. One was done by Dave Goulder - but it doesn't really involve the father of the girl and, as the title suggests, the friar ends up in the well: "You say you could sing me soul out of Hell, Well, surely you'll sing yourself out of the well...." Dan Schatz |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Joe Offer Date: 13 Jun 06 - 03:25 PM I found this reference in another thread, but no lyrics.
Posted By: fogie 29-Jul-03 - 04:18 AM Thread Name: Bawdy songs for women to sing Subject: RE: Bawdy songs for women to sing There's a funny song called The randy old parson - I havent looked in DT its about a parson who makes advances to a farmers daughter, who entices him up to her room saying her parents are away, then, when he's in the altogether she screams out "father com quick here is a burglar come for to murder us all" Father appears with a shotgun and parson dissappears out of the window sans clothes, they then rifle his pockets and find gold, and he has to go back naked to his nagging old wife who evermore made him wish he was dead! -Joe Offer- Here are a couple of links that might be of interest:
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Liz the Squeak Date: 13 Jun 06 - 04:16 PM You're probably remembering Nick Dow singing a version of the Randy Parson, but I'm afraid I can't give you a confirmation or an album title.... I haven't heard anything new from him for a while, so it's probably one from his earlier career or the 1980's. LTS |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: GUEST Date: 13 Jun 06 - 04:52 PM Song is possibly a version of The Ranter Parson and The Cunning Farmer's Wife - aka The Hive of Bees Preacher waits till farmer is away from home and tries to seduce wife. She pretends to go along with it, persuades him to undress and get into bed, then brings in a hive of bees from the garden and throws it into the room locking the door. He eventually escapes through a window leaving behind his money and clothes. A friend of mine, Dick Snell, found it in a broadside collection in Cambridge University Library (UK) back in the early 70s and put a tune to it.. Think it's this that Nick Dow recorded. Version in Roy Palmer's Songs Ralph Vaughan Williams book. Jim Carroll |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Joe Offer Date: 13 Jun 06 - 04:57 PM Anybody have lyrics to the Randy Parson? All Google will tell me is that Randy Parson is Federal Bureau of Investigations Acting Assistant Director in Charge.... |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: My guru always said Date: 13 Jun 06 - 05:54 PM LOL Joe!! Sounds very much like 'The Ranter' story, as suggested by Jim Carroll. I sing the version sung by Chris Foster (possibly Trad) & can post lyrics here if anyone's interested if I can just remember how to sort the line breaks out!! |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: GUEST,Happy randy old northerner Date: 13 Jun 06 - 06:50 PM *LIZ* yes... that's him! Thanks very much You've made my day/night Nick Dow! - I'm going to get Googling and try to find his album(s). Daft really, because ( some considerable years ago ) used to play and sing this particular song but have completely forgotten everything about it !!! (bad things breakdowns) Thanks everyone - And " nice one " Liz You're damn good folk on this site. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Nigel Parsons Date: 13 Jun 06 - 07:37 PM Not Guilty! |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Joe Offer Date: 13 Jun 06 - 09:07 PM Guru, line breaks are automatic now. If you copy-paste something that already has <br> line breaks visible in it (this is unlikely), uncheck the "automatic linebreaks" box at the bottom of the message box. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Dan Schatz Date: 13 Jun 06 - 09:25 PM HEY! Who are you calling old? Dan Schatz (a parson who behaves himself, but likes to collect songs about those who don't) |
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Subject: LYR. ADD: THE PARSON IS A NAUGHTY MAN From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 13 Jun 06 - 11:00 PM Lyr. Add: THE PARSON IS A *NAUGHTY MAN ^^ Oh dear, oh dear, things do run queer It can be nothing less, Would you like to hear the ladies Around Belgravia Square confess Of all their sins and wickedness What they eat and drink and all Of everything they done and what They never done at all. The ladies round Belgravia Must before the parson stand Then tell him everything they've done, Oh the naughty, naughty man. The parson led them up the dark Where they no light could see Down on your wicked marrow bones Down on your bended knees Said Mr P the parson Confess without delay Or so help *me never you shant have No pudding on Christmas day. Now says St. Barnabas parson If you will confess to me You shall have a threepenny halfpenny And a half an ounce of Tea How many *sweethearts have you had Have you ever done amiss Confess to me quickly said he How often have you been kissed. Then in popped an old lady With her locks of carrotty hair She said I've come a mile the other Side of Belgrave Square When I was young I do confess I recollect a rig My father stole a donkey and my mother stole a pig. Ladies to confession Every morning now repair From the wooden bridge at Pimlico Right up to Belgrave Square Tell the parson what you do Confess and now reform and tell him what your mother done before that you were born. Ladies mind the naughty parson and a caution take now mark Or into the confessional He'll take you in the dark Then on your tender marrowbones He soon will make you fall If you've killed a thousand soldiers He then will forgive you all. *Corrected from Naguhty; my; sweethears. Broadside, based on the Church of St. Barnabas, Pimlico. W. Dever, London. Firth c.16(346), Firth b.25(170), 18--. Bodleian Library: www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/ballads/ballads.htm Not "The Friar and the Well" or the Randy Parson, but I think deserves mention. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: My guru always said Date: 16 Jun 06 - 05:31 AM The Ranter (Trad ?, heard from Chris Foster) ^^ It's of a sly, ranting parson, for preaching he lived in great fame In the town of Roper did dwell, though I dare not to mention his name Likewise a jolly young farmer, a neighbour living close by Soon on the wife of the farmer the ranter he cast a quick eye While the farmer was minding his business and rose with the lark in the morning The ranter was forming a plan to crown the young farmer with thorns And he oft to the farmers did go, to pray for the good of his soul But when you have heard of the joke, I'll warrant you'll say it was droll The ranter, if you had but seen him, you'd think he was free from all evil As pure as snow driven without, within was as black as the devil One day when the farmer was out he said 'I will have my desire' And straight to the house he did go and he sat himself down by the fire He said 'my good woman I'm told that your husband won't be home tonight I value not silver or gold if I could but enjoy my delight' Then she replied with a smile 'My husband is gone for a week' And little the ranter did think as she meant to play him a trick When all things were silent at night, she whispered these words in his ear 'The best bed it stands in the parlour, and you must go to it my dear When you are safe off to bed, my dear, I will come with all speed' 'Alright' said the ranter, 'make haste', and so was the bargain agreed The ranter got into bed and he lay there as snug as you please And the lady went into the garden and fetched back a fine hive of bees She carried them into the parlour and put them down slap on the floor So nimbly then she ran out and on him she locked the door And the bees began buzzing about and the ranter jumped up on the floor So sweetly he capered and danced as they stung him behind and before And then he got out of the window since no other way could he find His clothes he ne'er stopped for to take but was glad for to leave them behind All smarting and sore with the stings he ran home to his wife in his shirt Such a figure of fun for to see all besmeared with mud and with dirt And the farmer come home the next morning and after the truth had been told In one of the ranters right pockets found thirty bright guineas in gold And the ranter got into disgrace and the farmer he laughed at the joke To think how the ranter would look without trousers, waistcoat or cloak The ranter he frets and he pines all for the loss of his money The farmer, though he lost his bees, thinks he is well paid for his honey |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: GUEST,Randy middle aged northerner Date: 16 Jun 06 - 05:46 AM *Guru* the lyric you put up does bear a resemblance to the one I seek!! I'm having NO luck either finding any folk albums By Nick Dow or even contacting him via email ( he hosts a Blues show up ere in t' north ) anyone offer some advice?? I'm going to find it if it kills me! ( better not tell that to me missus or she'll keep giving me false leads )! :0) |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: John MacKenzie Date: 16 Jun 06 - 07:50 AM Dave Goulder sings a song about The Carpenter and the Sexton, which involves a somewhat gory scenario. That may be what you were thinking of Dan. Jim Carroll is that the same Dick Snell who was in The Critics, and who used to frequent CSH in the days when Jack and Margaret King ran the Cellar? Giok |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Kevin Sheils Date: 16 Jun 06 - 08:04 AM Giok That brings back some memories, haven't seen Dick Snell for some years but it certainly would be him. Coincidentally someone asked me whether I knew anything about Jack and Margaret King only a days or so ago. Had to admit I'd not seen them for many, many years. First people to ask me regularly to sing in Public, so now you know where the blame lies! Back on topic: there are many similar story songs in the line of the randy parson in the Spanish tradition (I guess all over the world really) but the Spanish ones pop up fairly frequently on the Lomax Spanish Collections on Rounder Records. Kevin |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: GUEST Date: 16 Jun 06 - 03:02 PM Dick Snell was in The Critics Group when I joined in 1969, though I lost touch with him some time in the mid-70s. He always used to introduce the song with the explanation that a ranter was one of the itinerant hellfire and brimstone clergyman that travelled the English countryside in the 18th century generally making a nuisance of themselves. Don't have any further information on this but would welcome enlightenment. Jim Carroll |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 16 Jun 06 - 03:02 PM A transcription from Chris Foster's recording was posted here nearly six years ago; there is a link to it at the top of this thread. Where I heard "Rover", 'Guru' hears "Roper": either may be what Foster sang, but "thorns" above is wrong. The word is "horns". The earlier thread also contains a link to a broadside edition; the place-name is left blank for the singer to insert an appropriate locality. To expand on Jim Carroll's earlier comments, 'The Ranter Parson' seems only to have been found once in tradition; Ralph Vaughan Williams noted it from a Mr Earle, a labourer aged 61, at Leith Hill Place, Surrey, in September or October 1904. Mr Earle had learned most of his songs "off ballets'" (songsheets) or from his father. RVW recorded only the first verse and tune. The song, augmented from a broadside printed by T Ford, Irongate, Chesterfield, appears in Roy Palmer, Bushes and Briars: Folk Songs collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams (Lampeter: Llanerch, 1999, 138-9). Palmer notes that the 9/8 tune is a form of 'The Rant,' a tune widely used in ballad-operas. Whether Foster was aware of the example from tradition (Roud 2530) I don't know, and I can't play my vinyl copy at present to compare the melodies. Likely enough he just set an appropriate tune to a broadside text. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Joe Offer Date: 16 Jun 06 - 03:07 PM So it's not a "randy" parson at all, Malcolm? A number of people have posted and given the impression they know a song called the "Randy Parson" - are they all Mondegreening? -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 16 Jun 06 - 03:47 PM From the description in the original question, I'd guess 'The Randy Parson' to be a completely different song on a similar subject, and that we haven't yet answered that question. Jim and I cross-posted earlier; it does look as if Chris Foster got the 'Ranter' from Dick Snell. What was the tune? |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: GUEST,Liz the Squeak masquerading..... Date: 17 Jun 06 - 03:31 AM The Randy Old Parson, sung by Nick Dow is on the LP 'A Poor Man's Gift' ~ You're lucky, it's the only ND recording I have and you're even luckier that it wasn't buried at the bottom of a pile of crap behind 3 melodeons and 4 bottles of scotch. I'll try and transcribe the words but basically it's a farmer and his daughter living in Kent and they play tricks on the ROP who comes "night visiting".... First line is 'there was an old farmer who lived down in Kent.' ROP doesn't come in until the end of the verse. Good luck!! LTS |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: GUEST Date: 17 Jun 06 - 03:55 AM Malcolm, Dick Snell made a new (and very fine) tune for The Ranter Parson; don't know if it's the same as the one Chris Foster used. Being musically illiterate, I can't transcribe it, but I think I still have Dick's written down somewhere. If anybody is interested my e-mail address is on the TSF website. Jim Carroll |
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Subject: ADD: Randy Old Parson From: Liz the Squeak Date: 17 Jun 06 - 08:36 AM Well I buggered that up didn't I... here are the lyrics. They're cribbed first hand from a second hand recording of Nick Dow's "Poor Man's Gift" (Thank you Terry Pardoe, for supplying it back in the days when I couldn't afford records) but I'm afraid I can't do tunes; sorry. I also have no sleeve notes so I can't tell you who wrote it or even a cat. no. for the record! The Randy Old Parson Well it's of a farmer who lived down in Kent, with his wife and his daughter of sweet seventeen. She was a buxom and radiant beauty, the fairest I ever had seen. Over the hill came a randy old parson, although he was married, he fancied her still; Oftimes he swore with the farmers fair daughter the parson would have his will. Now one fine day as she was a walking, a viewing the fields and the meadows so gay, The randy old parson he stepped up to her and these were the words he did say: 'Many's the time I've seen you out walking and you from a distance I've often admired, One fine night, to lie in your arms it would put up me own hearts desire'. 'Now kind sir if you would lie with me, come to my window tomorrow at night, Me father and mother will both be from home and there you'll enjoy me delight'. Then the fair maid agreed with the parson and back to the cottage she quickly did run, She sat down for to think of a plan how she might show the poor parson some fun. The very next night the old parson came calling, she opened her window unto let him in. She led the old parson into her bed chamber and there to undress did begin. Once he was out of his trousers and waistcoat, she for her father so loudly did call, 'Father come quick, for here is a burglar, come for to murder us all.' The farmer burst into his daughter's bedchamber, he picked up a stick and he beat him about, The randy old parson in shirt and in britches so loudly for mercy did shout. And then the old parson got out of the window and over the hill he ran for his life, He never stopped until he got home to the arms of his nagging old wife. The very next day they looked in his pockets, found fifty bright guineas in silver and gold. The farmer he said, 'it's a fitting reward for a daughter so cunning and bold'. The poor old parson awoke in the morning, both light in the pocket and sore in the head, Then ever after, with his nagging old wife, and he wished for the day he was dead. I have to add that in all my years of church-going, I've never met a parson with those inclinations... perhaps it doesn't happen in Dorset. LTS |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Liz the Squeak Date: 17 Jun 06 - 09:01 AM Joe Offer - I am not now, nor have I ever been Mondegreened. Greened, yes... Mondegreened; no. LTS |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Rman Date: 17 Jun 06 - 09:30 AM Well now, I decided that typing;- "Randy middle aged northerner" each time i posted was tedious - so - I have become a fully unpaidup member of this splendid and MOST helpful group. "Randy middle aged northerner" is no more - he is now known as Rman!!! How can I possibly thank you Liz? Blessings be upon you, your family and your (very) comprehensive record collection. All i need now is to remember how i played it! Seem to recall it being in DADGAD |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Liz the Squeak Date: 17 Jun 06 - 10:34 AM Now you're a fully "paid up" member, send me a PM with your postal address and I'll attempt to make a fair copy of the tune for you. Glad to be of service. LTS |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: Liz the Squeak Date: 18 Jun 06 - 05:25 PM The man himself has checked in on another topic - here, so you might be able to ask him where you can get your own copy of 'Poor Mans' Gift'. Good luck! LTS |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Randy old parson From: My guru always said Date: 18 Jun 06 - 06:03 PM Malcolm: definitely hear Roper, but I'll try to relearn the horns!Cheers!! |
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