Foreword

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 -1958) was a notable collector of folk

songs at the beginning of the twentieth century. He travelled around the

countryside and notated the songs sung by the people that he

encountered in order to preserve them for future generations. The songs

he collected were not always completely unknown or even specific to a

particular location, but as is often the case with the oral/aural tradition,

many of them had their own local versions.

On the 27^th of August 1904 Ralph Vaughan Williams came to

Ramsbury, Wiltshire. There, in Back Lane, he met an Agricultural

worker/woodman aged around 70 named John Woolford. John who

was born in Ramsbury sang five songs that Vaughan Williams considered

worthy enough to make a record of. All Serene, Mossy Banks of the Lea,

The Lost Lady, The Young Indian Lass and Erin’s Lovely Home.

The accompanying CD contains my versions of these songs. To

compliment these songs I have also included material from the

surrounding villages of Baydon, Aldbourne, Ogbourne St Andrew and

the local town of Marlborough.

Ralph Vaughan Williams - 1902 Courtesy of The Ralph Vaughan Williams

Charitable Trust

Alfred Williams (1877 - 1930) “The Hammer Man Poet” was born

in South Marston north east of Swindon where he lived all of his life.

At the age of 15 he started working at the Great Western Railway

factory works until ill health forced his departure in 1914. He had a

brief spell serving in the British Army in India before returning to

South Marston to earn his living as a market gardener.

He was a published writer and poet mainly on the subject of nature and

rural life. One of his most notable works, “Life in a Railway Factory”

drew on his experiences at GWR.

Alfred was also a keen collector of folk songs and spent many hours

travelling around the villages of Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and

Gloucestershire writing down the lyrics to the songs that were sung to

him.

Only being interested in the words he never notated any tunes.

Luckily, there is a crossover between the songs that Ralph Vaughan

Williams collected in Ramsbury and Alfred Williams collected in

others. It is the words from Alfred’s collection which I have turned to

for this CD.

Alfred Williams - Courtesy of Wiltshire and Swindon Archives

AAron’s LoveLy Home (er+n’s LoveLy Home)

Collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams from John Woolford of Back Lane, Ramsbury

Roud No.

1427

The manuscript for this tune only shows the

musical score and makes no reference to any lyrics.

There is a suggestion that the version seen here is

quite different to any of the more standard versions

commonly heard. It is possibly for this reason

Ralph Vaughan Williams (RVW), being aware of

the song, made a note of this tune’s unusual variant.

Alfred Williams did collect some words from

Henry “Wassail” Harvey of Cirencester in 1916 to

a song titled Aaron’s lovely home. The same song,

but a good example of how songs evolve as they get

passed around.

Confusingly, the lyrics in his version refer to place

names in Ireland and England!

For my version I have chosen to use the less

standard John Woolford tune with the less standard

Henry “Wassail” Harvey words and changing the

place name references to be more Wiltshire

oriented. The song itself does have its origins in

Ireland and it is quite possible it was brought over

and passed on by the navigators working on the

canals and railways in England.

AAron’s LoveLy Home

When I was young and in my prime

But to my great misfortune

Adieu unto old England

my age was twenty one

her father did appear

for the space of seven long years

then I became a servant

and struck me down for taking

and those I leave behind me

unto a gentleman

his daughter oh so dear

are wailing in their tears

I served him true and honest

he marched me off to Bridewell gaol

and if ever once I do return

and that it is well known

so no more we may roam

I never more will roam

‘till cruelly they banished me

from servant to a criminal

but bid adieu to all my friends

from Aaron's lovely home

From Aaron's lovely home

at Aaron's lovely home

'Twas in her father's garden

My sentence transportation

all in the month of June

it grieved my heart full sore

his daughter she came to me

but leaving my own true love then

in youth and beauty's bloom

it grieved me ten times more

she says - "My dearest William

there are seven strong links all in this chain

if along with me you'll roam

and seven years must I roam

I will not grieve for those I leave

with the iron band upon my hand

at Aaron's lovely home"

from Aaron's lovely home

'Twas on that night I gave consent

The prison cart came to the gate

which proved my overthrow

to take us all away

to leave her father's garden

my true love she came up to me

and with the maid to go

and unto me did say -

the moon was shining bright and fair

"Cheer up your heart be not dismayed

from the garden we did roam

for you I'll ne'er disown

and we thought that we’d got safe away

so do not grieve for those you leave

from Aaron's lovely home

in Aaron's lovely home"

All Serene

Collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams from John Woolford of Back Lane, Ramsbury

Roud No.

23271 & V14838

This appears to be only the first verse of the song,

maybe that’s all Mr Woolford remembered, or

maybe RVW did not feel the need to write down

others. It’s possible he wasn’t too concerned with

the words as he has written at the top of his

manuscript “music hall - but good tune“.

Cross referencing the song lyrics to the broadside

from which it originated, shows it was printed in

various publications up and down the country. One

such copy is held in the Bodleian Library as printed

by Hodges, E.M.A. (London) between 1846 and

1854. It has 9 verses!

I have used the lyrics from the Frank Kidson

Manuscript Collection.

ALL SERENE

I came from the west a long way down

When up from the prison they let me out

No longer in this town I’ll roam

to look for a wife in London Town

near Hyde Park corner I rambled about

in the third class train I’ll toddle home

All Serene

I met with a stunning buxom lass

I met with a lass they call her Peg

And there I’ll have some sport and play

I’m sure there’s none could her surpass

she had a nose as long as my leg

with all the country lasses gay

she picked me pockets and done me clean

she whispered in my ear so keen

and if they tumble upon the green

then holloa’d “Chap its all serene”

“Good night my love its all serene”

I’ll play the a tune called all serene

As I was going down Regents Street

To a public house we both went in

Lads take a warning all around

a drunken snob I chanced to meet

and called for a half a pint of gin

or you’ll remember I’ll be bound

All Serene

He whistled a jig called off she goes

She says to me “Do you want a wife

Beware of the lasses bear in mind

then beat tattoo on me poor nose

can you please a lady in humble life”

and keep your breeches tight behind

I have been served out since here I’ve been

“Oh yes” says I “My lovely Queen”

for if your rhubarb should be seen

I think in my hearts it’s all serene

“Come on” she says “It’s all serene”

the girls will cry its all serene

I went one day to the park to see

Away with her I did repair

and there a cove pitch’d into me

she took me to the you knows where

Quite Serene

All Serene

Then up came one of the awkward squad

She treated me so good and kind

and I was sent seven days to quad

and she gave me two little kids to mind

on skilly and whack they made me keen

and since that time she has not been seen

my appetite was all serene

so I christened the children all serene

Mossy Banks Of The Lea

Collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams from John Woolford of Back Lane, Ramsbury

Roud No.

987

This song, like many others, goes under several

different names. Looking for the full lyrics that

John Woolford might have sung led me to the

1981 publication of Wiltshire Folk Songs by Jean

Morrison and Celia Cologne. In this book, in their

version of “The Green Mossy Banks of the Lea”

they publish the words for three verses as collected

by Alfred Williams under the title “The American

Stranger’’.

MOSSY BANKS OF THE LEA

When first in this country a stranger

Was there I spied a fair creature

curiosity caused me to roam

some Goddess she looked for to be

over Europe I resolved to be a stranger

and she rose from the brink of the river

so I left Philadelphia my home

on the green mossy banks of the Lea

We quickly sailed over to England

I stepped up and wished her good morning

where forms of great beauty do shine

her fair cheeks they blushed like the rose

‘till at length I beheld a fair damsel

I said the green meadows are charming

and I wished in my heart that she was mine

and your guardian I'll be if you choose

One morning I carelessly rambled

She said I nev’r want a guardian

where the great flushing waters did flow

young man you are a stranger to me

was down by a clear crystal river

and yonder is my father coming

not knowing where else for to go

on the green mossy banks of the Lea

The Jolly Waggoner

Collected by Alfred Williams from David Phoebus Sawyer of Ogbourne St Andrew

Roud No.

1088

This song was first published as far back as 1857 in “Ancient Poems,

Ballads and Songs of the Peasantry of England” by Robert Bell. Bell

suggests even then that the song can be traced back at least a century.

Vaughan Williams did in fact collect a version of this song but it was

not from John Woolford, or even Ramsbury. I have included it in this

collection as Alfred Williams collected it from the neighbouring village

of Ogbourne St Andrew from an agricultural labourer named David

Phoebus Sawyer.

Alfred Williams only collected lyrics and not melody so here I have

used a generally well know tune and changed a few words!

Courtesy of Wiltshire and Swindon Archives

THE JOLLY WAGGONER

When first I went a-waggoning a waggoning did go

Now summer is a coming what pleasures shall we see!

I filled my parent's hearts with sorrow grief and woe

hear all the small birds whistle on every green tree

and many are the hardships that we must undergo

blackbirds and the thrushes nightingales too

who can lead the life jolly waggoners do

Chorus

Sing woa! My lads sing woa!

Drive on my lads-i-o!

Who else can lead the life jolly waggoners do

It is a cold and stormy night me lads and I'm wet unto my skin

Michaelmas will soon be here and the hiring fair rolls in!

I'll bear it with contentment till I come unto an inn

we'll make the gold to fly my boys like chaff before the wind

and there I'll sit a-drinking with the landlord ‘till it’s through

and every lad shall take his lass and steel a kiss or two

who can lead the life jolly waggoners do

Chorus

The Young Indian Lass

Collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams from John Woolford of Back Lane, Ramsbury

Full lyrics based on those collected by Alfred Williams from Edwin Warren of South Marston

Roud No.

2326

This is a popular broadside

ballad from the mid-19th

century and quite well known

up and down the country.

In America the same song

became popular as “The Little

Mohee” it can also be found

as “The Little Maumee”

which is thought to refer to

the South Pacific.

THE YOUNG INDIAN LASS

As I was a-walking in a far distant shore

Now the time being appointed that I had to leave

I called at an alehouse to spend a half hour

to leave this sweet damsel the ocean to breathe

as I sat a smoking beside me a glass

she pulled out her handkerchief wiped her bright eyes

by chance there came in a young Indian lass

"Oh don't go and leave me dear William" she cried

This lovely young Indian as you shall soon hear

It was early the next morning we were going to set sail

with her features of beauty with none she compared

to cross the wide ocean and into the swell she says

she was tall, she was handsome her age was nineteen

"When you are over in your own native land

she was born and brought up in a place near Orleans

remember me William how I squeezed your hand"

She came and sat by me and squeezed my hand

We hoisted our anchor and away then we flew

she says “You're a stranger not one of this land

and a sweet pleasant breeze we soon parted from view

I'll find you lodgings if with me you'll stay

not now I am over and taking my glass

you shall have all my portions without more delay"

here is a health to the lovely young Indian lass

With a jug of good liquor she welcomed me in

now she says "You are welcome to have anything

and besides if you'll stay with me ner’more to roam

I know you're a stranger and far from your home"

Young Collins / Winster Processional

In April of 1971 Aldbourne was transformed into Devil’s End for the filming of the Doctor Who episode ‘The Daemons’ staring Jon

Pertwee.

The Master poses as the new vicar in the rural community of Devil's End, just as an archaeologist begins work on opening an ancient barrow

near the village. Despite the Doctor's attempts to stop the work, a Daemon named Azal is released from dormancy within the barrow. A

member of an ancient alien race who guided nascent human life on Earth, Azal has remained behind to judge humanity's worthiness. But the

Master will stop at nothing to seize Azal's tremendous power.

So, it seemed like a good idea to use The Doctor as the Dr in the Mummers play, and as a very tenuous link to use Jon Pertwee‘s later

portrayal of Worzel Gummidge as the basis of his accent!

During the filming of Doctor Who, The Doctor was captured and tied to a Maypole on the Village Green. The Morris dancers who

performed for the camera were Headington Quarry Morris Men (now known as Headington Quarry Morris Dancers).

Their current squire Dave Townsend confirmed to me that these were the two tunes that John Graham (playing the accordion on the right

of the Maypole!) played in the program.

The Lost lady

Collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams from John Woolford of Back Lane, Ramsbury

Roud No.

901

This song can be traced back to at least 1843 when it was published in John Boardwood’s Old English Songs under the title of “Gipsy

Song”. RVW again only collected the first verse. Alfred Williams has also written down a version of this song catalogued under

Miscellaneous by the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. Unfortunately there is no date or location mentioned.

Again I have used the words collected by Alfred Williams.

RVW’s Folk Song Suite arranged in

1923 features a tune in the intermezzo

taken from a traditional song called

“Green Bushes”. This is noted as being

very similar to a tune called “The Lost

Lady” in Percy Grainger’s 1937

composition “Lincolnshire Posy”.

Grainger collected songs with Lucy

Broadwood (John’s Niece) in 1905 and

the Lincolnshire Posy version of “The

Lost Lady” is based on the one she

recalled from her nurse Mrs Hill in

1893. Although not exactly the same as

the one RVW collected in Ramsbury,

there are similarities!

THE LOST LADY

'Twas down in the valley a young damsel did dwell

When she saw him she knew him and flew in his arms

she lived with her father we all know full well

he told her his grief while he gazed on her charms

'twas down in the valley with violets so gay

“How came you to Dublin my darling?” said he

three gypsies betrayed her and stole her away

“Three gypsies betrayed me and stole me away”

Long time she'd been missing and could not be found

“Your father in England in prison does lie

‘till her father he searched the wide country round

and for your sweet sake he's commanded to die”

he came to a trustee betwixt hope and fear

“Carry me back to old England my dearest” she cried

and the trustee made answer “She has not been here”

“One thousand I'll give you and will be your bride”

Then up spoke the trustee with courage so bold

When she came to old England her father to see

“I'm afraid she is lost for the sake of her gold”

the cart it stood under the old gallows tree

“We'll have for life Sir” the trustee did cry

“Oh pardon! Oh pardon! Oh pardon! I crave

“We'll send you to prison and there you shall die”

don't you see I'm alive your dear life to save”

There was a young squire who loved her so

Then from under the gallows they led him away

and oft to the school house together they'd go

the bells they did ring and the music did play

“I'm afraid she is murdered and great is my fear

every house in the valley with mirth did abound

if I'd wings like a dove I would fly to my dear”

as soon as they heard the lost lady was found

Then he travelled through England through France and through Spain

and he ventured his life on the watery main

‘till he came to a house where he lodged for one night

and in that same house was his own heart's delight

Show Me The Way To Go Home

During the Second World War Aldbourne

became home to the American 506th Parachute

Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne

Division in preparation for the D-Day landings.

The Blue Boar became the Officers Mess and

was off limits to enlisted men. Amongst the

memorabilia on display there is a copy of an

original Officers Club document celebrating the

‘Keglars Club’ and sites the 1925 song “Show

Me The Way To Go Home” as their official

Club theme song! Both verses are documented

in the 101st Airborne Division Songbook.

Incidentally, the book and TV drama ‘Band Of

Brothers’ is based on Easy Company who were

one of the units billeted in Aldbourne.

SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO HOME

Show me the way to go home

I'm tired and I want to go to bed

I had a little drink about an hour ago

and it went right to my head

where ever I may roam

on land or sea or foam

you will always hear me singing this song

show me the way to go home

Indicate the way to my abode

I'm fatigued and I want to retire

I had a spot of beverage sixty minutes ago

and it went right to my cerebellum

where ever I may perambulate

on land or sea or atmospheric strate

you can always hear me crooning the melody

indicate the way to my abode

Baydon Mummers Play

This Mummers play was collected from Baydon c1900 by Henrietta Batson from Charles Farmer. We know from clippings and

photographs collected by the Aldbourne Heritage Centre and Aldbourne Archive that the village did have a tradition of performing

Mummers plays. It seems quite likely that as Baydon is only 4 miles north east of the village that this particular play, or one very similar

could also have been performed here.

Mummers Play

Baydon c1900

Ordish Collection

Courtesy of The

Folklore Society

In the spirit of evolving traditions, I have changed some of the text in the documented play to include some Aldbourne references, most

obviously substituting the Doctor for Aldbourne’s very own Dr Who.

This new play was performed twice in the village over the Christmas period of 2018 by the Heritage Centre to a largely appreciative

audience. Hopefully we have revived a tradition for future generations!

Father Christmas

“Here come I old Father Christmas

Welcome or welcome not I hope old Father Christmas will never be forgot

Roast beef, plum pudding, mince pie

Who likes them better than you and I

Make room, make room for my broad sword

Let the Turkish Knight walk in and clear the way”

Turkish Knight

“Here come I the Turkish Knight

To draw my glittering sword to fight

Fight I will before I go

I will make King George’s blood to flow

I will cut him as small as fry

And he will do to make mince pie

I will cut him as small as dust

And he will do to make mince pie crust

And if you do not believe what I say

Walk in King George and clear the way”

Father Christmas

“But to Dr who do we pay this homage

‘Cause you looks and sounds more like Worzel Gummage!

Now make room, make room I pray

Let little Jim Jack clear the way!"

Jim Jack

“Here come I little Jim Jack

With my wife and family at my back

Although my substance is but small

I will do my best to please you all

We have not come here to laugh or jeer

But for a pocketful of money and a skinfull of beer

But if you do not believe what I say

Walk in Father Beelzebub clear the way”

Father Beelzebub

“Here come I Old Father Beelzebub

On my shoulder I carry my stick

And in my hand my little can

Don’t you think I am a brave old man?

With my great head and little wit

I am the best man amongst this kit

My head so big, my wit so small

We will sing a song to please you all”

Father Christmas

“Now Ladies and Gentleman

Your sport has just ended

So now for the box

Which is highly commended

The box would speak

If it had but a tongue

So throw in your money

And think it no wrong”

John Woolford 1832 - 1908

Ramsbury Wiltshire

John Woolford was born to George and Elizabeth in 1832. He was the oldest of 6 children and the family lived in Back Lane, Ramsbury.

On the 5^th of August 1854 John, then aged 22 married 21 year old Martha Avenell. Martha was born in Letcombe, Berkshire but she and

her family had been living back in her father’s home village of Ramsbury since she was at least 7 years old. Most latterly they had been living

in Whitehouse Lane.

John and Martha set up home close to John’s parents in Back Lane and there they raised a family of 15 children. Thomas, Rachel, Emma,

George, Mary Ann, John, Elizabeth, Hester, Ann, William, Jane, Harry and Edith are the only names listed in the census records, the other 2

names do not appear. Later records suggest that 3 of their children died, but it is not clear what their names were or when that happened.

All the while John had been working as a woodman in the village, he is occasionally described in the census as an agricultural worker, but it is

clear that many of the extended Woolford family were also woodmen and hurdle makers too.

Whilst the census records tell us that the family lived in Back Lane, no entries include a house name or number. What we do have however,

is the schedule number of the household that the enumerator assigned to it. Occasionally, alongside the schedule number a house name

or description may be given. Things such as The School House, The Vicarage, The

Rookery, Bodorgan House along with the street name gives us the orientation that

each census was ordered.

Mapping the 1861, 1881, 1891 and 1901 census out this way clearly suggests that

the Woolford household in Back Lane was between Whitehouse Lane (Burdett

Street) and the High Street and on the same side of the road as Bodorgan House

(Ramsbury Hill). Even more telling is that in each census following the schedule

numbers household by household, the Woolfords always come up as having The

Bleeding Horse public house and the Blacksmith as their neighbours.

This leads me to believe that their actual house no longer exists, however, it may

well have been between where Maslin’s Close now stands and the junction of the

High Street.

John Woolford died in 1908 at the aged of 72, not 1905 as recorded in the 1911 census. He is buried in Ramsbury’s Holy Cross

Churchyard along with Martha, their fourth son William, eldest daughter Rachel and third son John. The headstone stands in plot 472 in

the south east corner.

In Memory of

John

The Beloved husband of

Martha Woolford

Who departed this life

October 10^th 1908

Aged 75 years

Also of his wife

Martha Woolford

Also in loving memory of William Woolford

Who departed this life

Their fourth son

May 1^st 1921

Killed in action in France

Aged 82 years

March 2^nd 1916

Aged 44 years

Her children shall rise up and

Sweet and honourable it is to

call her blessed

die for your country

This stone was erected by their children

Also their eldest daughter

as a token of love and affection

Rachel

Who died Dec. 1st 1934

Aged 78 years

and their third son

John

Who died Jan 19^th 1946

Aged 82 years

I have known Alan Woolford for a number of years, long before I was aware of John

Woolford and his encounter with Vaughan Williams. Alan has often spoken of the fact

that his family have lived in Ramsbury for many generations and it seemed to me that there

was quite possibly a link to be made. Having spent many hours researching and piecing

together snippets of information from the census and birth, death and marriage records, I

have been able to deduce that John Woolford’s paternal Grandparents, William and Mary

are also Alan’s Great, Great, Great Grandparents. Alan’s Great Grandfather Ambrose, son

of Joseph, was 1^st cousin to John Woolford.

This makes Alan and John 1^st cousins 3 times removed (I think!!).

Alan Woolford

- Ramsbury

2019

- John

Woolford’s 1^st cousin 3 times removed