Lyr Req: Campbell the Rover

Subject: Lyr Req: Campbell The Rover
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 02:28 PM

Does anyone have the full version of the song "Campbell The Rover" popularised by both Joe Heany and Bob Davenport?
The first verse goes:-
"On the first day of April I'll never forget,
How two Irish sportsmen together they met,
Called for a drink and then swore solomnly,
That they'd play a trick on the first one they'd see,
Laddie fol the riddle ido,
Right fol the rol dee"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Campbell The Rover
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 07:35 PM

Try searching for drover instead of rover. You will be glad that you did.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Campbell The Rover
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 05:42 PM

Thanks very much Malcolm and Peace for your PM. It is pretty much the same story but in the case of Campbell the Rover it is a couple of men who pull the trick on Campbell before he, in turn, dupes the landlord. Google gives plenty references to Campbell the Rover (and mentions cross referencing Campbell the Drover)particularly that it was made popular by Joe Heaney - but no set of words. I'll post what I know of the song here later but thanks again for the help so far I can no doubt piece it together from that.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Campbell The Rover
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 05:50 PM

I cannot locate lyrics for "Rover". Sorry, DaveS. Would love to read what you DO have, however.

Subject: Lyr Add: CAMPBELL THE ROVER
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 06:53 PM

Err it's on our second album but himself sings it... Am I right in thinking it's in Peter Kennedy? (Bunny - are you there)?

I think Napper started with the Heaney version but may have folk-processed it, plus I may have mis-remembered somewhat (OK, he may sing it in my left ear every gig but I'm otherwise occupied with the mandocello, orright?). And quite rightly, the words may vary from gig to gig in traditional fashion according to mood and inclination.


The first day of April I shall not forget
When two English rogues together they met
Intending to trick the first person they'd spy
And Campbell the Rover he chanced to ride by

On Campbell the Rover they cast a sly eye
They've mounted their horses they've rode alongside
They've greeted Campbell and he's done the same
And in close conversation together they came.

They came to an inn where they made a full stop
They asked Campbell in for to share a wee drop
Campbell's consented, says he with a grin
I don't mind if I do, and he's followed them in.

Well tumblers of whiskey they followed/washed down with wine
25 shillins it cost them each time
There was more for the horses, for oats and for hay
And they meant to leave Campbell with the reckoning to pay

These two English rogues slipped out the back door
Leaving Campbell behind for to settle the score
In came the Landlord to Campbell did say
Your friends they have gone so the reckoning you'll pay

Never mind it says Campbell since they've gone away
For I've plenty of money your reckoning to pay
But come sit down beside me before I do go
And I'll show you a trick that perhaps you don't know

I'll show you a trick quite contrary to law
For two sorts of drink from one barrel I can draw
The Landlord was keen for to find out this plan
So down below cellar with Campbell he ran

He's bored him a hole in one end of a vat
Saying Landlord look sharp, stick your hand over that
Then he's bored him another, saying place your other hand there
While I for two tumblers/glasses do run up the stair

He's mounted his horse he was soon out of sight
Leaving the Landlord downstairs to his plight
In came the ale wife she's laughed at this sport
Saying husband, dear husband, you've been very well caught.

Now Campbell's last words they still echoed around
Saying you've been well paid by this trick I'll be bound
My score is settled, there's nothing to pay
Now I must be going for it's nearly mid-day.

(I think this end may be TN's own - the previous version may have had a fol-di-whack sort of refrain and a less punchy-liney ending, but I'm just going on the stage intro here!)

CD available here: Tom Napper Tom Bliss: The Kelping

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Campbell the Rover
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 14 Sep 06 - 06:07 AM

For comparison, here's CAMPBELL THE DROVER.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Campbell the Rover
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 14 Sep 06 - 02:40 PM

Quite shamefully I omitted to say that Google also gave numerous references to the Tom Napper - Tom Bliss version so it was especially kind of Tom B to post the words. The version that I remember, possibly altered by time:-

On the first day of April I'll never forget,
How two Irish sportsmen together they met,
Called for a drink and then swore solomnly,
That they'd play a trick on the first one they'd see,
Laddie fol de riddle i do,
Right fol the rol dee.

On the road they had not been but for a short while,
When Campbell the Rover came by in great style,
They bid him "Good Morning" he bade them the same,
And in close conversation together they came

The came to an ale house and made a full stop,
And asked Campbell in for to take a wee drop,
Acepting the offer Campbell replied,
"I'll have a wee drop just to wet my inside"

A bottle of whiskey they poured down their throat,
Then the Irishmen got up to bale out the boat,
Leapt on their horses and galloped away,
Leaving Campbell the Rover the reckoning to pay

Never mind now dear landlord Campbell did say,
I've got plenty money the reckoning to pay,
But if you'll permit me before I do go,
I'll teach you a skill that perhaps you don't know

I'll show you a trick that's contrary to law,
How two kinds of liquer from one barrel can draw,
The landlord being eager to learn of the plan,
Straight to the cellar with Campbell he ran

Into the barrel he bored a small space,
Saying "Landlord put your left thumb in this place",
Boring another said"put your other thumb there,
While I for a tumbler do run up the stair"

He rushed out the ale house without more delay,
Leaped on his horse and he galloped away,
Leaving the landlord to think on the way,
How Campbell the Rover the reckoning did pay