I have been trying to discover where the tune for Jarvis the Coachman come from. It was collected by Alfred Williams from Henry "Wassail" Harvey in Cricklade - but we all know that Williams did NOT collect tunes!! WE also know that the song appeared on early Broadsides - again all published without tunes. The only recording I know was by The Critics Group on "A Merry Progress to London" - and lo and behold...it has a tune. The sleeve notes say nothing about the tune...so where did it come from?? Tim Radford https://ewanmaccoll.bandcamp.com/track/jarvis-the-coachman Jarvis The Coachman. My name it is Jarvis the Coachmen A coachman I’ve been for some years I drive up and down and all over the town Without any danger or fears. Some gentleman travelers they haled me, I stopped in the road for a fee, But if I had known what their plan was Old Nick should have driven ‘em not me. One night I was driving through Chelsea, A driving along to me doom Three gentleman traveler they haled me All for to be took to their homes. They made me drive up by old Highgate, Till a man hung in chains I could see, But if I had known what their plan was Old Nick should have driven ‘em not me. They made me drive under the gibbet, They made me drive under it straight, They swore I should climb to the top of it, Or else my old neck they would break. They put a long rope round my middle Then pulled me to the top of the tree, Then off with me coach and me horses, They galloped off most speedily. I Whooped, I bawled, I hollered Till at length the bold butcher he came by, I frightened the poor butcher’s horses, For he thought thus a dead man’s cry. Till at length a bold brickmaker came by, Then he cut me down from the tree. But if I had known what their plan was Old Nick should have driven ‘em not me. Henry “Wassail” Harvey, Cricklade, Wilts Alfred Williams and Broadsides
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