Lyr Req: The Ranter

28 Aug 00 - 12:49 PM (#286560)
Subject: The Ranter
From: Ranks

Hello,

Chris Foster recorded a Song called "The Ranter" about a million years ago. When I checked into Cecil Sharp several years ago, they only seemed to have Fragments of the song. Does anybody have the full lyrics?

Thanks,

Ranks

---

28 Aug 00 - 03:49 PM (#286703)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Ranter
From: Malcolm Douglas

I have Foster's record, and will try to post the lyrics for you tomorrow if I have time, unless somebody else has them more readily to hand.  Meanwhile, you might like to have a look at this broadside at the  Bodleian Library Broadside Collection:

The Ranting Parson and the Cunning Farmer's Wife  Printed c.1835 by John Whiting of 134, Moor Street, Birmingham.

Malcolm

---

30 Aug 00 - 01:53 PM (#288002)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE RANTER / THE RANTING PARSON
From: Malcolm Douglas

THE RANTER  (THE RANTING PARSON)

It's of a sly ranting parson, for preaching he lived in great fame;
In the town of Rover 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 how to crown the young Farmer with horns;
And he oft to the farmer's did go, to pray for the good of his soul,
But when you have heard of the joke, I warrant you'll say it was droll.

The Ranter if you had but seen you would think he was free from evil;
As pure as snow-driven without, but 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.

Then 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 how 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 up to bed, my dear, I will come with all speed."
"Alright", said the Ranter, "Make haste"; and so was the bargain agreed

And 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.
And she carried them into the parlour and put them down slap on the floor;
So nimbly then she ran out and on him she lockèd the door

And the bees began buzzing about and the Ranter he jumped 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 cloth******** 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 came home the next morning and after the truth had been told,
In one of the Ranter's side 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.

As recorded by Chris Foster on Layers (Topic Records 12TS329, 1977).  It was set -whether traditionally or by Foster I do not know- to a slip-jig, the name of which I don't recall.  A midi of the tune goes to Alan's Mudcat Midi Site.

Malcolm

---

30 Aug 00 - 01:57 PM (#288004)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Ranter
From: Malcolm Douglas

I forgot that I had to check verse 7 line 4 against the braoadside.  It should read, "His clothes he ne'er stopped for to take..."

Malcolm

---

31 Aug 00 - 04:46 AM (#288379)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Ranter
From: Ranks

Thank you very much, Malcolm.

You are a star.

Ranks

---

29 Feb 08 - 06:00 AM (#2275531)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Ranter / Recorded at last
From: Ranks

Eight years after Malcolm gave me the lyrics, I recorded The Ranter on my New album "Hole in One"

To Malcolm: I gave you a mention in the Sleeve-Notes.

You can listen
www.ralfweihrauch.de

Hope you like it,

Ralf

---

02 Mar 08 - 02:52 PM (#2277549)
Subject: Lyr Add: RANTING PARSON AND THE CUNNING FARMER'S..
From: Jim Dixon

Here's the text from the broadside:

THE RANTING PARSON; AND THE CUNNING FARMER'S WIFE.

1. It's of a sly ranting parson, for preaching he lived in great fame;
In the town of ----* did dwell, though I dare not to mention his name.
Likewise a jolly young farmer, a neighbour who lived hard by;
And soon on the wife of the farmer the ranter he cast a quick eye.
It's fal de ral, &c.

2. While the farmer his business did mind and rose with the lark in the morn,
The ranter was forming a plan how to crown the young farmer with horns;
And he oft to the farmer would go, to preach for the good of his soul,
But when you have heard of the joke, I'll warrant you say it was droll.

3. The ranter if you had but seen, you'd have thought he was free from all evil;
But as pure as snow-drift without, within was as black as the devil.
One day as the farmer was out, thinks he, "I shall gain my desire",
And unto the house he did start and sat himself down by the fire.

4. He says, "My dear lady, I'm told that your husband won't come home tonight.
I value not silver or gold if I can but enjoy my delight."
"O then," she replied with a smile, "my husband is gone for a week."
The ranter he little did think how she meant for to play him a trick.

5. This lady she laughed in her sleeve, and modestly hung down her head.
She said, "While my husband is out, you are welcome to [illegible; 'come to my bed'?]."
The ranter was pleased to the [life?], to think how he soon should be blest
By crowning the farmer with horns--but now comes the cream of the jest.

6. When all things were silent at night, she whispered these sounds in his ear:
"The best bed it stands in the parlour, and you must go to it, my dear.
When you are safe got to bed, my dear, I will come with all speed."
"All right", says the ranter. "Make haste"; and thus was the bargain agreed.

7. The ranter he jumped into bed and there lay as snug as you please.
The lady slipped into the garden and brought in a fine hive of bees.
She carried them into the parlour and threw them down slap on the floor.
So nimbly then she ran out and on him she lockèd the door.

8. The bees began buzzing about. The ranter he jumped on the floor.
So sweetly he capered and danced while they stung him behind and before.
Till at length he got out of the window, since no other way he could find.
His clothes he ne'er stopped for to take, but was glad for to leave them behind.

9. All smart 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 the mud and the dirt.
Next morning the farmer came home, as I for truth have been told,
In one of the ranter's side pockets found thirty bright sovereigns in gold.

10. The ranter he got in disgrace. The farmer he laughed at the joke,
To think how the ranter would look without breeches, waistcoat or coat.
The ranter he frets and he pines all for the loss of the money,
And the farmer, though he lost his bees, thinks he is well paid for his honey.

[*The dash is in the original.]

---

13 Apr 15 - 06:04 AM (#3701518)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Ranter
From: FreddyHeadey


re : Ranks - PM 
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 06:00 AM 

Eight years after Malcolm gave me the lyrics, ...

I couldn't find the track on that link but there is a Spotify link here

Ralf+Weihrauch/Hole+In+One/The+Ranter

---