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Title
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Old farmer and his young wife
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Singer
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Messenger, Charles
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Notes
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Note 1
Williams, Alfred: Ms: 'This old song was extremely popular throughout the Thames Valley. I have met with it in as many as four forms, two of which I give below. There is also a Scotch version dated 1769 and a copy is printed in 'Bell's Songs of the English Peasantry', 1862. The variations are not considerable. The pieces might be added to according to the pleasure and skill of the singer. The following, however, represents about the average length of the several versions. I have heard at Ogbourne, South Marston, Latton, Holwell, Shilton, Brize Norton and Longcot, Berkshire. Copy obtained of David Sawyer, Ogbourne and Charles Messenger of Cerney Wick.
Instead of 'Ods bobs! What fun!' I have heard 'Ods bobs! Blind busset!'
Williams, Alfred: WGS / FSUT: 'This old song was extremely popular throughout the Thames Valley. I have met with it in as many as four forms, two of which I give below. There is also a Scotch version dated 1769 and a copy is printed in 'Bell's Songs of the English Peasantry', 1862. The variations are not considerable. The pieces might be added to according to the pleasure and skill of the singer. The following, however, represents about the average length of the several versions. I have heard at Ogbourne, South Marston, Latton, Holwell, Shilton, Brize Norton and Longcot, Berkshire. Copy obtained of David Sawyer, Ogbourne and Charles Messenger of Cerney Wick. Instead of 'Ods bobs! What fun!' I have heard 'Ods bobs! Blind busset!'
Note 2
In the WGS version Verse 6 is omitted.
Note 3
In Verse 3 Line 1 the original text read:
I went into the passage to see what I could see
In Verse 3 Line 7 the original text read:
Surely they are three pokers my granny sent to me
In Verse 5 Line 1 the original text read:
I went into the kitchen to see what I could see
Transcribed and edited by Chris Wildridge, 2010.
