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Title
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We're all jolly fellows that follow the plough
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Singer
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Faulkner, William
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Notes
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Note 1
Williams, Alfred: Ms / WGS: 'An old favourite, once widely known, but at this time, scarcely to be met with. I had a copy on an ancient song sheet but I was compelled to search over the whole Vale before I could find one to recite me the words complete from memory. In the end I obtained the copy of William Falconer, Taynton, near Burford, and late of Brize Norton Oxfordshire.'
Note 2
The text of verse 4 is on a slip of paper glued to the manuscript with the beginnings and ends of words visible at the margins.
In Verse 5, line 4 the original text is:
You are darned idle fellows that follow the plough.
In Verse 6, line 2 the original text is:
We have all ploughed an acre, you tell a damned lie
In Verse 7, line 4 the original text is:
And I'll give you a jug of the very best ale
Note 3
Williams, Alfred: RAUT Ms, Vol 3 p 1, 2. The song is not attributed to Falconer but the texts are so similar to suggest that it has the same source.
Verse 1
It was early one morning at the break of day,
The cocks were a crowing, the farmer did say -
'Come rise my good fellows! come, rise with good will,
For your horses want something their bellies to fill.'
Verse 2
When four o clock comes, boys, then up we all rise,
And into the stable boys, so merrily flies;
With rubbing and scrubbing, our horses, I vow,
We are all jolly fellows that follow the plough.
Verse 3
When six o clock comes at breakfast we meet,
And bread, beef and pork boys, so heartily eat;
With a piece in our pocket, I swear and I vow,
We are all jolly fellows that follow the plough.
Verse 4
Then we harness our horses and away then we go,
And trip o'er the plain boys as nimbly as does,
And when we come there so jolly and bold
To see which of us the straight furrow can hold.
Verse 5
Our master came to us and thus he did say -
'What have you been doing, boys, this long summer's day?
You have not ploughed an acre, I swear and I vow,
And you're d----d idle fellows that follow the plough.'
Verse 6
I stepped up to him and I made this reply -
'We have all ploughed an acre, so you tell a d----d lie;
We have all ploughed an acre, I swear and I vow,
And we're all jolly fellows that follow the plough.'
Verse 7
He turned himself round and laughed at the joke:
'It is past two o clock, boys, it's time to unyoke:
Un-harness your horses, and rub them down well,
And I'll give you a jug of the very best ale.'
Verse 8
So come, all brave fellows, wherever you be,
Come, take this advice and be governed by me;
So never fear your masters, I swear and I vow,
We are all jolly fellows that follow the plough.
Note 4
This appears on the LP: Portway Pedlars [Len and Barbara Berry]: In the greenwood. Greenwich Village, GVR 229, 1984. Side 1, Track 2. The tune used is that collected from Mr R. Bennell of Oxfordshire.
Transcribed and edited by Chris Wildridge, 2010.
