A traditional song learned many years ago from Ewan MacColl. Also known as 'The Brisk Lad'. (The song, not Ewan.)
He collected it from the Dorset singer Caroline Hughes in the 60s, but Hammond also collected two very similar versions, also in Dorset, in the first decade of the 20th century. I noticed around then that the tune is clearly related to one associated with the rather more spiritual 'The Carnal and the Crane' and 'The Holy Well', though Martin Carthy also used it for a version of the less-than-spiritual ballad of adultery and murder 'Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard.'
When I sang 'The Sheepstealer' in the 70s, I always sang it unaccompanied, as did Ewan MacColl.
Much more recently, though, I started to play 'The Holy Well' as an intro to my own Song of Chivalry (though not for the song itself, which uses a more-or-less original tune). Even more recently, when the Dorset song came up in conversation in a Facebook group frequented by Cornish songwriters, it occurred to me that a somewhat similar guitar part would work quite well with it. And I think it does: your mileage may vary, of course! (Josh Rogers, this is your fault!)
I admit to having made minor changes to the lyric over the years, unintentionally.
lyrics
I am a brisk lad though my fortune is bad
And I am exceedingly poor.
Indeed I intend my fortune to mend,
And to build a house downon the moor, my brave boys,
And to build a house down on the moor.
The farmer do keep fat oxen and sheep
And a neat little nag on the moor.
In the middle of the night when the moon do shine bright
There’s a number of work to be done, my brave boys,
There’s a number of work to be done.
I’ll walk all around on another man’s ground,
And I’ll take a fat sheep for my own.
With the aid of my knife I will end of its life
And then I will carry it home, my brave boys,
And then I will carry it home.
My children they will pull the flesh from the ewe,
And I will be where there is none..
When the constable do come I will stand with my gun
And I’ll swear all I have is my own, my brave boys,
I’ll swear all I have is my own.
credits
from In a Folkier Vein,
released August 13, 2023
Words and music traditional, arranged and adapted by David Harley. Acoustic guitar and vocal by David Harley.
David Harley is a former professional musician, administrator, IT security editor, author and researcher, and former much else that is even less impressive. He now lives in Cornwall. More info at whealalice.com
