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Lyr Req: Willie Rambler

07 Aug 06 - 08:42 PM (#1804003)
Subject: Lyr Req: Willie Rambler
From: GUEST,James

Hello all,

Long time browser/reader and first time poster/requester here, so I guess I should preface said request with hearty thanks to all of those here on the board who have unknowingly helped me out in the past when it came to digging up lyrics. So there they are...

Anyway, any chance any of you out there on the cyber-folk scene happen to have the words to an Ulster song called "Willie Rambler"? I only have the first verse, which is:

When I was young and in my prime, at the age of twenty four
I left Lough Erne's lovely banks, to England I sailed o'er
'Twas there I met a maiden fair, of honor and renown
Of her then I did ask the way to famous London town.

Much obliged to anyone out there who can supply the rest of the lyrics, since I've had no luck myself. I'm an enthusiast of the Ulster singing tradition, and would love to add this one to my rep. in its entirety.

Regards,
James

08 Aug 06 - 05:22 AM (#1804210)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Willie Rambler
From: MartinRyan

There's a set for it HERE on the Musical Traditions online magazine site.

Regards

08 Aug 06 - 07:43 AM (#1804267)
Subject: Lyr Add: WILLIE RAMBLER
From: mrsmac

My version is slightly different:

Willie Rambler

When I was young and in my prime at the age of twenty-four,
I left Lough Erne's lovely banks. To England I sailed o'er.
'Twas there I met a maiden fair of honour and renown,
And of her I did ask the way to famous London town.

"Young man are you a stanger? Were you never here before?
Come tell to me from where you came onto this country o'er."
I said, "I am an Irish lad that lately has sailed o'er ,
And they call me Willie Rambler from sweet Lough Erne's shore."

"If you be Willie Rambler," this charming maid did say,
"What would you take for to consent and with me come away?
Fifteen hundred pounds a year, I'll give you this and more,
And I'll crown you Willie Rambler from sweet Lough Erne's shore."

Were you ever on Lough Erne's banks on a lovely summer's day,
Where the blackbird and thrush in every bush they sing their notes so gay;
And the fame of Ballyshannon town by far exceeds them all,
In June July and august when the salmon it leaps the fall?

From green Clyhore to Ailey (?) Lodge that spot of high renown,
Where the wee birds sing out their chorus around you lovely Castletown


I have typed this up at work and will check it again when I get home. Think this version came from Gaby McArdle. Hope this helps James

08 Aug 06 - 07:48 AM (#1804270)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Willie Rambler
From: MartinRyan

Yes - I've heard Gaby sing it, alright. Think he might have recorded it on Ben Lennon's CD a few years ago? Fine singing.

Regards

11 Aug 06 - 01:31 AM (#1806965)
Subject: Lyr Add: WILLIE RAMBLER
From: Jim Dixon

Lyrics and commentary copied from a description of the album "The Hardy Sons of Dan: Football, hunting and other traditional songs from around Lough Erne's shore." Click here.

WILLIE RAMBLER (Roud 3576)
As sung by James Halpin
(Recorded by Keith Summers in the singer's cottage, Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh, 7.8.80)

When I was young and in my prime, my age was twenty-four.
'Twas then I left Lough Erne's banks. To Scotland I sailed o'er.
Where I beheld a fair young maiden, she being of high renown,
And they call her blooming Mary, or the pride of Glasgow town.

Now to this pretty fair one I quite modestly did say,
"Would you agree to come with me and show to me the way?
You know I am a stranger that lately has sailed o'er,
And they call me Willie Rambler, from sweet Lough Erne's shore."

"Now if you are a stranger and never was here before,
Would you agree to stay with me and say you'll roam no more?"
Five hundred pounds she did count down, saying, "This will be your own,
If you bid farewell to Lough Erne's banks and the friends you left at home."

"Oh, how could I leave Lough Erne's banks, where my young Molly dwells,
With a blackbird and thrush in every bush, and the lark in yon flowery dell?
With a blackbird and thrush in every bush, their music I recall,
In June, July and August when the salmon leaps the fall."


A rare song - Roud only knows of another Len Graham 1970 recording of the Halpins, and a 1947 BBC one of Christy Johnston, also from Fermanagh. Gabriel McArdle (from Kinawley, Co Fermanagh) sings this on the Dog Big Dog Little album (Claddagh CC51CD) where the sleeve notes (by Dermot McLaughlin) say:
    "The theme of the wanderer being offered hope and comfort by a beautiful and hospitable woman is a recurring one in Irish folksong. Usually the woman's offers are gently refused because of the hero's love for a girl at home. Willie Rambler, however, is quite a businessman and, when asked his price to stay with her, immediately demands five hundred pounds. After the price is agreed he then proceeds to praise the beauties of Ballyshannon and Lough Erne...." (obviously a variation).
Dermot adds that Gabriel learnt the song from Mick Hoy, of Derrygonnelly. It's also sung by Carmel McDermott on the 4-CD set A Call from the Musical Heart of Cavan; the album doesn't have a catalogue number, though its publisher is Cavan County Council/Foras Áiseanna Saothair. Jimmy Halpin can also be heard on To Catch a Fine Buck was My Delight, VotP Topic TSCD668

11 Aug 06 - 12:58 PM (#1807336)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Willie Rambler
From: mrsmac

when i was young and foolish my age was 24
i left lough erne's lovely banks to Boston i sailed o'er
t'was there i met a lady gay of honour and renown
and off her i did ask the way to famous New York town

what would you take young man she said along with me to stray
and we'll talk about old ireland and lough erne another day
i have ranches down in texas i have horses by the score
and i'll take you down the rio grande its far from erne's shore

can anyone help with the rest?? i used to sing this a lifetime ago and it pops into my head every time i think of Willie Rambler. The air is different but alot of the words are the same

12 Aug 06 - 03:04 PM (#1808220)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Willie Rambler
From: mrsmac

When I was young and foolish, my age being 24,
I left Lough Erne's lovely banks. To Boston I sailed o'er.
'Twas there I met a lady gay of honour and renown,
And of her I did ask the way to famous New York town.

"What would you take, young man," she said, "along with me to stray?
And we'll talk about old Ireland and Lough Erne another day.
I have ranches down in Texas. I have horses by the score;
And I'll take you down the Rio Grande. It's far from Erne's shore."

"Oh, no, kind lady. Pardon me. Your wealth I do disdain.
I'll go with you another day your fond love to maintain.
There is no night nor hour bright is half so fair as you,
But Erin's fens and plains and glens to leave them I would rue.

"How could I leave Lough Erne's banks where my young Molly dwells?
Your mansions and your castles are to me like prison cells.
Were you ever on Lough Erne's banks when the sun is setting low,
With the purple of the heather and the moon a fiery glow?

"The fair in Enniskillen is the greatest fair of all,
Where the cailins are the fairest and the boys are straight and tall;
So I'll bid adieu to Texas, too. I'll see it never more,
For I'm going back to Ireland and lovely Erne's shore."

Got it! I knew it was in there somewhere. Anyone familiar with this?

29 Oct 09 - 12:42 PM (#2754926)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Willie Rambler
From: GUEST,Alick

hi mrsmac, you dont know where i can buy a recording of this song, i used to have it on cassette but lost it, any help would be most grateful.
                     alick

24 Jan 17 - 07:07 PM (#3834645)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Willie Rambler
From: GUEST

Ely Lodge. Just outside Enniskillen on the road to Belleek.

25 Jan 17 - 08:29 AM (#3834725)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Willie Rambler
From: GUEST,Irishmusclover

This is the same song I was looking but it's called Erin's lovely shore you can get t
He song off YouTube its sung by Theresa Rodgers