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Golden Glove
The Golden Glove / The Squire of Tamworth / Dog and Gun
[
Roud 141
/ Song Subject MAS842
; Master title: The Golden Glove
; Laws N20
; G/D 1:166
; Henry H524
; Ballad Index LN20
; VWML RVW1/1/28
, CJS2/10/2474
, RoudFS/S146385
; GlosTrad
Roud 141
; Wiltshire
323
, 1046
; DT DOGGUN
; Mudcat 5466
, 89022
; trad.]
Nick Dow: Southern Songster Alan Helsdon: Vaughan Williams in Norfolk Gale Huntington, Lani Herrmann, John Moulden: Sam Henry’s Songs of the People Maud Karpeles: Cecil Sharp’s Collection of English Folk Songs Frank Kidson: Traditional Tunes Roy Palmer: Folk Songs Collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams Frank Purslow: The Foggy Dew Steve Roud, Julia Bishop: The New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
O.J. Abbott from Hull, Quebec, sang Dog and Gun in a field recording made by Edith Fowke that was included in 1961 on his Folkways album Irish and British Songs From the Ottawa Valley. Edith Fowke noted:
This popular English ballad was printed as a broadside in the United States in the early nineteenth century and spread across the continent. It has been collected in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. as well as in many parts of the States. The texts from widely scattered areas are remarkably uniform. Mr. Abbott learned it about sixty four years ago from John O’Malley of Marchhurst, Ontario, who probably learned it in the lumber-camps. His words follow the usual pattern except in one particular: most versions begin with a reference to the young squire whom the lady was to marry, as “’Twas of a young squire in Yarmouth did dwell”, or “A wealthy young squire of Tamworth we hear”. Mr.“Abbott, more logically. begins with the lady who is the central character.
Muckram Wakes sang The Squire of Tamworth in 1973 on their first album, A Map of Derbyshire.
Frank Hinchliffe sang The Golden Glove in 1976 at home in a recording made by Mike Yates and Ruairidh and Alvina Greig. This recording was released in 1977 on his Topic LP In Sheffield Park: Traditional Songs From South Yorkshire and in 2001 on the Musical Traditions anthology of songs and music from the Mike Yates collection, Up in the North and Down in the South. The Greigs noted on the original album:
The Squire of Tamworth or Dog and Gun, as it is sometimes called, has been popular with traditional singers for at least 200 years. Timothy Connor, a prisoner of war in England during the American Revolutionary War, included this song in a song-book he compiled during his imprisonment from 1777 until 1779. His version and Frank’s are quite similar. Since Connor’s day the song has been printed by many broadside printers, and has been widely collected in both England and America. It is a deservedly popular song with a fine romantic story. Robert Bell in Songs of the Peasants writes that “it is traditionally reported to be founded on an incident which occurred in the reign of Elizabeth.” We commented on the length of the song to Frank, who said that he found it one of the easier ones to remember because it was like telling a story, you knew what should happen next.
and Mike Yates noted:
The Squire of Tamworth or Dog and Gun, as it is sometimes called, has been popular with traditional singers for over 200 years, and there are 185 sightings in Roud. Timothy Connor, a prisoner of war in England during the American Revolutionary War, included this song in a song-book he compiled during his imprisonment from 1777 to 1779. His version and Frank’s are quite similar. Since Connor’s day the song has been printed by many broadside printers, and has been widely collected in both England and America. It is a deservedly popular song with a fine romantic story. Robert Bell in Songs of the Peasantry (1857) writes that “’it is traditionally reported to be founded on an incident which occurred in the reign of Elizabeth”. Frank said that, despite its length, it was one of the easiest songs to remember because it was like telling a story, you knew what should happen next. A version that I recorded from George Fradley of Derbyshire can be heard on the Veteran Tapes cassette One of the Best, and that by Charlotte Renals on [Catch Me If You Can]. There is a very similar version on Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music Vol. 4 (Revenant RVN211)—it’s a reissue of the 1933 recording by Bradley Kincaid, but Frank’s appears to be the only English version on CD.
Martin Howley of Fanore in north-west Clare sang The Golden Glove in July 1975 to Jim Carroll and Pat Mackenzie. This recording was included in 2004 on the Musical Traditions anthology of songs and recitation from the Carroll Mackenzie Collection, Around the Hills of Clare. The collectors noted:
Dating back to at least the beginning of the 18th century, though said to be much older, this is reputed to be based on an incident which occurred in England during the reign of Elizabeth I.
The reference in verse six to the farmer waiting on the squire and giving him his bride, refers to a marriage custom, once popular in England, where the bridegroom entered the church on the arm of a bridesmaid and the bride follows accompanied by the bridegroom’s man whose duty it was to give her away.
Nic Jones recorded The Golden Glove for his 1977 album The Noah’s Ark Trap. He also played fiddle on this track on Chris Foster’s album Layers from the same year.
John Wesley Harding also sang this ballad on his Nic Jones tribute album, Trad Arr Jones.
Danny Brazil sang The Golden Glove to Gwilym Davies at Staverton, Gloucestershire, on 5 May 1978. This recording was included in 2007 on the Brazil Family’s Musical Traditions anthology Down by the Old Riverside. Rod Stradling noted:
This was also sung by Alice [Brazil]. A well-known song with 232 Roud entries, the majority being from the USA. Often called Dog and Gun as well, the Squire of Tamworth title popular in the revival is actually quite rare.
Charlotte Renals sang The Farmer and the Lady in a recording made by Pete Coe in 1978 on the 1990 Veteran Tapes cassette and 2003 Veteran/Backshift CD of songs from the Orchard family of Cornish travellers, Catch Me If You Can. Mike Yates noted:
Known variously as The Squire of Tamworth or Dog and Gun, Charlotte’s version of this well-known song is lacking the usual opening, in which a squire asks a girl’s hand in marriage. The girl agrees and a young farmer is chosen to give the girl away. Unfortunately, the girl falls in love with the farmer and has to think up a plan whereby she can gain his love, rather than the love of the squire. This is the point where Charlotte begins her song which, like all good versions, ends with the couple marrying. The song was known to Timothy Connor, a prisoner of war in England during the American Revolutionary War, who wrote the words down in a notebook sometime between the years 1777 and 1779, and numerous broadside printers helped to keep the song alive during the nineteenth century. According to Robert Bell, in his Songs of the Peasantry (1857) the song was traditionally reported to be founded on an incident which occurred in the reign of Elizabeth, although Bell was unable to actually trace any such incident.
A 1981 live recording from Shirley Collins singing The Golden Glove can be found on her 4 CD anthology Within Sound. She also sang in in 2023 on her Domino album Archangel Hill where she noted:
Nowadays, if you Google The Golden Glove, you’ll be offered a horror movie or the American baseball awards! Go back some three hundred years or so, and you’ll find it was a popular ballad that was sold on the streets, with a common theme of a young woman dressing up as a man in order to entice the one she loves and to save herself from the one she doesn’t. The ballad’s final verse has four of my most favourite lines!
George Fradley of Sudbury, Derbyshire, sang The Squire of Tamworth to Mike Yates in 1984. This recording was released in 1988 on his Veteran Tapes cassette of songs from Derbyshire, One of the Best, and in 2006 on the Veteran anthology It Was on a Market Day—Two.
Roy Harris sang The Golden Glove in 1985 on his Fellside album Utter Simplicity. He noted:
Also known as The Squire of Tamworth, or Dog and Gun—all three sound like pub names! It’s a simple and straightforward love song, complete in its charm and happy ending. The excellent ballad singer Frank Hinchliffe of Sheffield is my source for this via his Topic album on which he sings with sweet dignity..
Alice Parkinson sang The Golden Glove in a 1985 recording made by Nick and Molly Dow. It was released in 1986 on their anthology of traditional folk songs and speech from Lancashire’s Fylde Coast, Fleetwood Mashers.
Sally Barker sang The Golden Glove on her 1992 CD Tango!. That was the first time I heard this song and I fell in love with Karen Tweed’s piano accordion. In March 1997, Fairport Convention played The Golden Glove with Sally Barker’s tune live at Canterbury Marlowe Theatre. This recording was included a year later on their CD Who Knows Where the Time Goes.
Will Noble sang The Squire of Tamworth on his 1992 Veteran Tapes cassette of South West Yorkshire songs, In That Beautiful Dale. This track was also included in 2001 on the Veteran anthology of traditional folk music from rural England, Down in the Fields. Mike Yates noted:
During the American War of Independence an American prisoner, Timothy Connor,produced a hand-written song book, dated 1777 to 1779, in which he wrote down the words to songs that he knew. The Squire of Tamworth, also known as The Golden Glove or Dog and Gun, was one of the songs that Connor included in his book. Numerous broadside printers, both here and in America, helped keep the song alive during the 19th century and collected sets have been reported from all over the English-speaking world. According to the Victorian antiquarian Robert Bell, “It is traditionally reported to be founded on an incident which occurred in the reign of Elizabeth”, although, sadly, Bell appears to have been relying on hearsay and was unable to provide any evidence for his statement.
John Roberts and Tony Barrand sang Dog and Gun in 1992 on their Golden Hind album A Present From the Gentlemen. They noted:
We got Dog and Gun from the Derbyshire group Muckram Wakes; many traditional versions are remarkably similar. One closely-related set of verses was written down by Tim Connor, an American sailor who compiled a notebook of songs when imprisoned in England during the Revolutionary War.
Coope Boyes & Simpson sang Dog and Gun in 1998 on their No Masters album Hindsight. They noted:
First heard from the legendary Silly Wizard—then found in the Kennedy collection.
German duo Sperris & Wicca sang The Golden Glove in 1999 on their eponymous first album Sperris & Wicca.
Damien Barber learned The Golden Glove from Nic Jones’ LP and recorded it for his 2000 album, The Furrowed Field. He noted:
The tune to this ballad of love and deceit comes from Nick Jones’ album The Noah’s Ark Trap. I would have used the words but I left my albums somewhere. Thanks to Steve Gardham for finding some original words from his collection.
John Spiers & Jon Boden sang Golden Glove on their 2001 CD, Through & Through, and Jon Boden sang it as the 21 August 2010 entry of his project A Folk Song a Day. He noted:
A song possibly linked to ‘Lord of Misrule’ type customs, often discussed in reference to Shakespearean cross-dressing. The theory runs that annual events where all social conventions were transgressed (women dressed up as men, children became bishops, fools became kings, women proposed to men etc.) acted as a pressure valve for the tensions of a rigid, hierarchical society. Songs indulging similar fantasies have the advantage of being always to hand. The golden glove motif also smacks of pre-Christian magical imagery, but that might just be wishful thinking on my part.
Derek and Dorothy Elliott sang The Golden Glove in 2002 on their album with Chris Parkinson, Ship to Shore.
Alva sang The Golden Glove in 2003 on their Beautiful Jo album The Bells of Paradise. They noted:
Ralph Vaughan Williams noted this song from Mrs Humphrys of Ingrave, Essex, in 1904.
Bob Lewis sang The Golden Glove on his 2003 CD The Painful Plough. Vic Smith noted:
Another that was fairly common on broadsides. It has been collected in the USA, in Scotland and England, particularly in the south in Kent, Wiltshire, Hampshire; Anne Gilchrist heard it from Mrs Ford in Highfields in Sussex [VWML AGG/8/28] . Bob’s version does not have the common first verse that sets the story in Tamworth.
Bob Lewis also sang The Golden Glove at the Fife Traditional Singing Festival, Collessie, Fife in May 2009. This recording was included in the following year on his Autumn Harvest album Drive Sorrows Away. Peter Shepheard noted:
A nobleman’s daughter is due to marry a young squire but during the wedding ceremony she falls for the young farmer who has been chosen to give her away. She pretends illness and calls off the wedding. She then dresses in disguise in men’s clothing, manages to meet the young farmer and discovers that he loves her. She gives him a gold embroidered glove that she says she has found. Once she is home again she announces she will marry the first man who finds her glove. The farmer brings the glove, she marries him and she tells him of the trick she has played. The ballad has been collected numerous times throughout the British Isles and in North America and was often printed on broadsides and in chapbooks.
Ruth Notman learnt The Squire of Tamworth from a Will Noble CD and recorded it in 2009 for her second CD, The Life of Lilly.
Emily Spiers sang The Squire’s Bride on her 2010 album The Half-Moon Lovers. She noted:
This song is very close to John Wesley Harding’s The Golden Glove but does not take place in Tamworth and has a different melody. I learnt this version from the singing of Alan Burke. Again, it’s the feisty female protagonist that I love: she ‘snares’ her man like a true hunter, with her dog and her gun.
Jim Moray recorded The Golden Glove in 2012 for his CD Skulk.
Hannah James and Sam Sweeney sang The Golden Glove in 2012 on their second duo album, State and Ancientry. They noted in their liner notes:
Hannah heard this song at the Shepley Folk Festival being sung by Cuthbert Noble of the fantastic Noble family and had to learn a version. This one was collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1904. [VWML RVW1/1/28] ,
Rosie Upton sang The Golden Glove in 2014 on her CD Basket of Oysters. She noted:
Learnt from my grandmother Ada Turner who learnt it from her mother Emma Bloxham of Brailes, Warwickshire. It was a very popular broadside. The tune is similar to the one collected by Cecil Sharp from Edwin Clay of Brailes [VWML CJS2/10/2474] , a contemporary of Emma Bloxham. I like to think there is a connection there and that Emma may have heard Edwin Clay sing it or vice-versa. It’s a completely improbable and romantic story but with a happy ending. If only life was so simple.
Cupola:Ward sang Squire of Tamworth on their 2016 album Bluebell. They noted:
This is a local version of the well known Golden Glove and comes to us from the singing of George Fradley via John Tams and the Muckram Wakes album A Map of Derbyshire, with a new cool and groovy lilt we developed whilst working with the Derbyshire Volunteers.
Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer sang The Golden Glove in 2016 on their CD Paper of Pins. They noted:
A lady sets up a cheeky deceit to get her own way. Nobody gets hurt and everyone lives happily ever after. Except the squire, presumably, who gets jilted at the altar. But then, he’s landed gentry so nearly everyone likes to see him fall flat on his noble nose.
Dan Quinn sang The Golden Glove in 2018 on Duck Soup’s album Everything and…. He noted:
The Golden Glove was collected from Mrs. Humphreys of Ingrave in Essex by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1904. “I love the sweet breath of the farmer” is pretty damn raunchy, when you think about it.
Anna Tam sang Golden Glove in 2022 on Coracle’s album Murmuration. She noted:
An irresistible story for its ingenuity and sweetness. This version was sung by Mr Barrow at Otham, Kent in 1916 to Marion Arkwright [VWML RoudFS/S146385] . Collected widely and appears on Broadside Ballads from the 18th century and several 20th century field recordings. Based on an event during the Elizabethan era, viola da gamba appropriately features on the track.
Andy Turner sang The Golden Glove on his and Mat Green’s 2024 WildGoose album Time for a Stottycake. They noted:
From the Journal of the Folk-Song Society, 1918. Noted down by Dr Marian Arkwright from a Mr Barrow of Otham in Kent [VWML RoudFS/S146385] . Many thanks to George Frampton who first alerted us to this song.
Lyrics
O.J. Abbott sings Dog and Gun
There was a fair lady in London did dwell;
Few others in beauty could her excel,
And for to get married it was her intent,
When her friends and relations had given their consent.
The day was appointed when she should be wed;
They chose a young farmer to wait on the bride,
But when the young lady the farmer espied,
He inflamed her heart; “Oh, the farmer,” she cried.
Instead of getting married she went to her bed,
For the thoughts of the farmer so ran in her head.
A plan for to gain him she quickly did find,
As the thoughts of the farmer so ran in her mind.
Waistcoat and britches next day she put on,
And she went a-hunting with her dog and her gun.
She hunted all around where the farmer did dwell,
For she knew in her heart that he loved her right well.
Oftimes she did fire but nothing did she kill,
Until a young farmer came into the field,
And for to converse with him it was her intent;
With her dog and her gun to meet him she went.
“I thought you were at the wedding,” the lady replied,
“To wait on the squire and to give him his bride.”
“Oh, no,” said the farmer, “the truth to you I will tell.
I could never give her away for I love her too well.”
It pleased the lady to see him so bold;
She gave him a glove that was flowered with gold,
Saying, “I picked this up while coming along,
As I was a-hunting with my dog and my gun.”
Then for to try the young farmer’s love
She put it up in handbills that she had lost a glove.
“And he that does find it and bring it to me,
I vow and declare his bride I will be.”
When the young farmer he read of the news,
Straight to the lady he went with the glove,
Saying, “My dearest honoured lady. I picked up your glove;
Now will you be so kind as to grant me your love?”
“It’s already granted,” the lady replied,
“For I love the sweet breath of a farmer,” she said.
“I’ll be mistress of my dairy and milking my cow
While my jolly young farmer whistles after his plough.”
The day of the wedding she told of the fun,
How she hunted up her farmer with her dog and her gun;
“And now since I have him so fast in my snare,
I’ll enjoy him for ever, I vow and declare.”
Martin Howley sings Golden Glove
There was a rich squire in Thomastown, Clare,
Who courted a nobleman’s daughter that was handsome and fair,
And to discourse with her it was his intent.
His friends and relations, they all gave consent.
The day was appointed a wedding to be;
The young farmer was chosen the groomsman to be,
But as soon as the lady the farmer she spied;
“You’re my charming, my lover and my darling”, she cried.
She turned from the squire, but nothing had said,
’Til at length they were married, she retired to her bed,
But the thoughts of the farmer still ran in her mind,
And a plan for to gain him she quickly did find.
In a vest, coat and jacket this lady put on,
As she went a-hunting with her dog and her gun.
She kept coursing all day where the farmer dwelled,
Because in her heart she loved him right well.
She often had fired but nothing had killed,
’Til at length the young farmer came into the field;
And to discourse with him it was her intent,
With her dog and her gun for to meet him she went.
“I thought you were at the wedding”, the lady replied,
“To wait on the squire And to give him his bride.”
“Ah no”, said the farmer, “I take sword in hand,
For the honour to gain her, my wife, at command.”
The lady was glad when she heard him speak so bold;
She gave him her glove all embroidered with gold;
Saying, “I found it as I was coming along,
As I was a-hunting with my dog and my gun.”
The lady went home with her heart full of love,
She sent out public notices that she lost her glove;
And, “Whoever shall find it and bring it to me,
And if it’s a man kind it’s married we’ll be.”
The farmer was glad when he heard the great news,
And into this fair one he instantly goes,
Saying, “Humble fair one, I have found your glove,
And will you be so kind as to grant me your love?”
“It’s already granted”, the lady replied,
“I have the young farmer”, she earnestly cried,
“I’ll be mistress of my dairy and I’ll milk my own cows,
While the jolly young farmer whistles after the plough.”
But when she was married she told all the fun,
How she went to hunt the farmer with her dog and her gun,
“But now, as I have him quite fast in the snare,
I love him forever I vow and declare.”
Frank Hinchliffe sings The Golden Glove
A jolly young squire near Timworth we hear,
He courted a nobleman’s daughter so dear.
And for to get married it was their intent,
All friends and relations had given their consent.
The time was appointed for the wedding day,
A young farmer he were chosen to give her away.
But as soon as the farmer, the lady did spy,
“Oh, my heart, this fair lady”, the lady did cry.
Instead of getting married, she took to her bed,
Where the thoughts of the farmer still ran in her head.
The thoughts of the farmer still ran in her mind,
And a way for to gain him she quickly did find.
Coat, waistcoat and trousers she then did put on,
And she went a-hunting with her dogs and her gun.
She hunted all around where the farmer did dwell,
For she knew in her heart that she loved him so well.
Now she oftime did fire, but nothing did kill,
At length the young farmer came into the field.
And for to have discourse with him, it was her intent,
With her dogs and her gun for to meet him she went.
“I thought you’d have been at the wedding”, she cried,
“To wait upon the squire and to give to him his bride.”
“Oh no,” said the farmer, “the truth to you I’ll tell,
I couldn’t give her away, for I loved her so well.”
The lady was pleased to hear the farmer so bold,
She handed him a glove that was studded with gold.
She said that she had found it while coming along,
As she was a-hunting with her dogs and her gun.
The lady went home with her heart full of love,
And gave out a notice that she had lost her glove.
“And the man who shall find it and bring it unto me,
Oh, the man who shall find it, his jewel I’ll be.”
As soon as the farmer did hear of the news,
Straightway with the glove to the lady he goes.
And said, “My honoured lady, I’ve brought you your glove,
And I should be pleased if you’d grant me your love.”
“Your love’s already granted”, the lady replied,
“For I love the sweet breath of a farmer”, she cried.
“I’ll attend to the dairy and the milking of the cows,
Whilst my jolly young farmer goes whistling as he ploughs.”
“And now we are married, I’ll tell of all fun,
How I hunted a farmer with a dog and a gun.
And now that I have got him well-tied in a snare,
I’ll enjoy him for ever, I’ll vow and declare.”
Nic Jones sings The Golden Glove
Oh it’s of a young squire in Tamworth we hear
And he courted a nobleman’s daughter so fair.
And all for to marry her it was his intent;
And the friends and relations they’d given their consent.
Now a day was appointed for their wedding day
And the farmer he was appointed for to give her away;
But as soon as the lady this farmer did spy,
Oh, her heart was inflamed and bitterly she did cry.
And she turned from the squire but nothing she said,
But instead of getting married she took to her bed.
And the thoughts of the farmer so ran in her mind,
A way for to have him she quickly did find.
Coat, waistcoat and trousers the young girl put on
And away she went a-hunting with her dog and her gun.
And she hunted around where the farmer he did dwell
Because in her heart, oh, she loved him right well.
And she oftentimes fired but nothing she killed
Until this young farmer came into the field;
And for to talk with him it was her intent
And with her dog and her gun then to meet him she went.
“Oh I thought you would have been at the wedding,” she cried,
“For to wait on the squire and to give him his bride.”
“Oh no,” said the farmer, “I’ll take a sword in my hand.
By honour I’d gain her whenever she command.”
And the lady was pleased when she heard him so bold
And she gave him a glove that was made out of gold;
And she told him that she found it she was coming along
As she went out a-hunting with her dog and her gun.
And this lady went home with a heart full of love
And she gave out a notice that she’d lost her glove
And, “Whoever found it and he brings it to me,
Whoever he is then my husband shall be.”
The farmer he was pleased when he heard of the news
And with a heart full of love to the lady he goes.
“Oh lady, oh lady, I’ve picked up your glove,
And I hope that you’ll be pleased for to grant me some love.”
“Oh it’s already granted, I will be your bride,
For I love the sweet breath of the farmer,” she cried.
“I’ll be mistress of your dairy and I’ll milk all your cows
While my jolly old farmer goes whistling on his plough.”
And it’s when they got married and they told of the fun
How she’d gone out a-hunting with her dog and her gun.
Danny Brazil sings The Golden Glove
There was an old squire in London dewelled,
He had but one daughter a farmer loved well;
All for to get married it was her intent,
And her friends and her relations soon gave her consent.
For the day that the wedding was ’pointed to be,
The farmer wasn’t there for to give her away;
Soon as the young lady the farmer couldn’t spy,
She began to lament and then for to cry.
This lady went home with a tear in her eye,
A waistcoat and trousers this lady put on;
All for to cross with him it was her intent,
With a dog and a gun away Molly went.
For she hunted all round where the farmer dewelled
She often times fired but nothing could kill;
She often times fired but nothing could kill,
’Til the jolly young farmer came out in the field.
“Good morning kind sir,” this lady did say,
“What have happed that you ain’t at the wedding today?
What have happed that you ain’t at the wedding today,
For to wait on the lady and give her away?”
“Oh no, then, kind sir that never could be true,
I loved her too well for to give her away;
My honour, my mistress I will take sword in hand,
If my honour don’t gain her I’ll never search command.”
It pleased the lady to find him so bold,
She gave him a glove that was lineded with gold;
Told him as she’d found it as she’d come along,
That she had been a-hunting with a dog and a gun.
This lady went home with her heart filled with joy,
Giving out a great notice that she had lost her glove;
“And the man that will find it and bring it to me,
Twenty guineas I’ll give or his bride I’ll be”.
Soon as the young farmer he heard of the news,
Straight away to the lady the farmer did go;
“It’s my honour, my mistress I have found your glove,
And I hope that you’ll ownd it and grant me your love.”
“The love’s ready granted,” the lady implies,
“I love the sweet birth of a farmer quite well;
I’ll be mistress of me dairymaid milking my cows
While me jolly young farmer goes a-whistling to plough.”
For after they got married she told of the fun,
That she’d been a hunting with a dog and a gun
“But since I have gained him so fast in a snare,
I will keep him for ever he’s my joy and my dear!”
Shirley Collins sings The Golden Glove
A wealthy young squire near Yarmouth did dwell,
He courted a lady that he knew quite well.
And then for to have her it was his intent,
Her friends and relations soon gave their consent.
The day it was appointed the wedding for to be,
The farmer was asked for to give her away.
But when that the lady the farmer did spy
It went to her heart, “Oh, my heart,” she did cry.
So instead of getting married, she took to her bed,
The thoughts of the farmer come into her head.
So waistcoat and britches the lady did put on
And away she went hunting with her dog and gun.
She hunted all around where the farmer did dwell
Because in her heart that she loved him so well.
She oftentimes fired, but nothing she killed
Until the young farmer come into the field.
And for to behold him it was her intent,
With her dog and her gun for to meet him she went.
“I’d’ve thought you’d have been at the wedding,” she cried.
“To wait upon the squire and to give away the bride.”
“Oh no,“ said the farmer, “if the truth I can say
I like her too well for to give her away.”
And the lady well pleased for to hear him so bold,
She gave him a glove that was very well gold,
Saying that she found it as she come along
As she was a-hunting with her dog and gun.
The lady turned home with her heart full of love
And gave out such speeches that shed lost a glove.
“And he that do find it and bring it to me
The man that do find it, his bride I will be.”
The farmer, well pleased for to hear the good news
And straight to the lady he goes with the glove,
Saying, “Honoured lady, I’ve brought your glove
If you’ll be so well pleased as to grant me your love.”
“My love’s already granted,” the lady replied,
“I love the sweet breath of the farmer,” she cried,
“And I’ll be the missus go milking the cow
And you shall be the farmer go whistling the plough.”
Will Noble sings The Squire of Tamworth
A jolly young squire near Tamworth we hear
He courted a nobleman’s daughter so dear
And for to get married it was their intent
All friends and relations had given their consent.
The time was appointed for the wedding day
A young farmer he was chosen to give her away
But when the young farmer the lady did spy
Oh my heart this fair lady the lady did cry.
Instead of getting married she took to her bed
Where the thoughts of the farmer still run in her head
The thoughts of the farmer still ran in her mind
And away for to gain him she quickly did pine.
Coat, waistcoat and trousers she then did put on
And she went hunting with her dogs and her gun
She hunted all around where the farmer did dwell
For she knew in her heart that she loved him so well.
Now she off times did fire but nothing did kill
‘Till at length till the young farmer came into the field
And for to have discourse with him it was her intent
With her dogs and her gun for to meet him she went.
“I thought you’d have been at the wedding,” he cried
“To wait upon the squire and to give to him his bride.”
“Oh no”, said the farmer, “The truth to you I’ll tell
I couldn’t give her away for I love her so well.”
The lady was pleased to hear the farmer so bold
She handed him a glove that was studded with gold
She said that she had found it whilst coming along
As she was a hunting with her dogs and her gun.
The lady went home with her heart full of love
And gave out a notice that she had lost her glove
“And the man who shall find it and bring it to me
Oh the man who shall find it his jewel I’ll be.”
As soon as the farmer did hear of the news
Straightway with the glove to the lady he goes
He said, “My honoured lady I’ve brought you your glove
And I should be pleased if you’d grant me your love.”
“Your loves already granted,” the lady replied
“For I love the sweet breath of the farmer,” she cried
“I’ll attend to the dairy and the milking of the cows
While my jolly young farmer goes whistling as he ploughs.”
So now they are married, I’ll tell of all the fun
How she hunted a farmer with her dogs and her gun
And now that she got him well tied in a snare
She’ll enjoy him forever, I’ll vow and declare.
John Roberts and Tony Barrand sing Dog and Gun
A handsome young squire near Tamworth did dwell
He courted a lady, and he loved her right well
The day was appointed for their wedding day,
And a farmer was appointed to give the bride away.
Ah, but when she saw the farmer, she thought him she’d like to wed
So instead of getting married she went to her bed
Instead of getting married she went to her bed
And thoughts of the farmer came into her head.
Coat, waistcoat and britches this lady put on,
And then she went a-hunting with her dog and her gun.
To see this young farmer it was her intent,
So straight to his fields she so lovingly went.
It’s oft-times she fired, ah, but nothing did she kill
Till at length this young farmer came into his fields,
To see this young farmer, it was her intent,
So straight up to him she so lovingly went.
“I thought you’d have been at the wedding,” she cried,
“To wait upon the squire, and to give him his bride.”
“Oh no,” said the farmer, “If the truth I must tell,
I can’t give her away ’cause I want her mysel’.”
The lady was pleased when she heard it so bold
So she gave him a glove all embroidered with gold
She told him that she’d picked it up as she came along
As she come a-hunting with her dog and her gun.
The lady went home with a heart full of love,
Then she gave it out that she had lost her glove,
And whosoever shall find it, and bring it back to me,
I vow and declare that his bride I will be.
The farmer was pleased when he heard of the news,
So straight to the lady he so lovingly goes
He says, “Lady, dear lady, I have found your glove,
Now will you be so kind as to grant me your love.”
“Oh, my love’s already granted,” the lady replies
“I love the sweet breath of the farmer,” she cries,
“I’ll attend to my dairy and the milking of my cows
While my jolly young farmer goes a-whistling to plough.”
Now when they’d got married she talked of the fun
How she’d hunted the farmer with her dog and her gun,
And now that I have him so fast in my snare,
I’ll love him for ever, I vow and declare.
Spiers & Boden sing The Golden Glove
Well, it’s of a young squire in Tamworth we hear
And he courted a nobleman’s daughter so fair.
And all for to marry her it was his intent;
And the friends and relations they’ve given their consent.
Well, a day was appointed for their wedding day
And the farmer he was appointed for to give her away;
But as soon as the lady the farmer she did spy,
Well, her heart was inflamed and it’s so wee she did cry.
Well, she turned from the squire but nothing she said,
And instead of getting married she’s took to her bed.
Well, the thoughts of the farmer so ran in her mind,
Well, a way for to have him she quickly did find.
Coat, waistcoat and trousers this young girl put on
And she’s gone out a-hunting with her dog and her gun.
And she hunted all around where the farmer he did dwell
Oh, because in her heart, oh, she loved him right well.
And she oftentimes fired but nothing she killed
Until this young farmer came into the field;
And oh for to talk with him it was her intent
So with her heart full of love then to meet him she went.
“Well I thought you would have been at the wedding,” she cried,
“For to wait on the squire and to give him his bride.”
“Oh no,” cried the farmer, “I’ll take a sword in my hand.
By honour I’ll gain her wherever she commands.”
Well, the lady was pleased when she heard him so bold
And she gave him a glove that was made out of gold;
And she told him that she found it she was coming along
As she went out a-hunting with her dog and her gun.
Well, thus home went this lady with a heart full of love
And she gave out a notice that she lost her glove
And, “Whoever he who finds it and brings it to me,
Well, whoever he is then my husband shall be.”
Well, the farmer was pleased when he heard of the news
And with a heart full of love to the lady he goes.
“Oh lady, oh lady, I’ve picked up your glove,
And I hope that you’ll be pleased for to grant me some love.”
“Well, it’s already granted, I will be your bride,
For I love the sweet breath of the farmer,” she cried.
“I’ll be mistress of your dairy and I’ll milk all your cows
While my jolly old farmer goes whistling on his plough.”
And it’s when they got married and they told of the fun
How she’d gone out a-hunting with her dog and her gun.
Bob Lewis sings The Golden Glove
It’s of a young squire near Plymouth we hear,
Some nobleman’s daughter he courted so fair;
He asked for to marry her, it was his intent,
That all friends and relations might give their consent.
Now the time was appointed for their wedding day,
A young farmer was chosen to give the bride away;
But as soon as that lady this young farmer did spy,
It inflamed her heart, “Oh, my heart,” she did cry.
She then turned from that squire, it’s nothing she said,
Instead of getting married she took to her bed;
The thoughts of that young farmer they so ran in her mind,
That a way for to have him she quickly did find.
Coat, waistcoat and trousers she then did put on,
A-hunting she went with her dog and her gun;
She hunted all around where that young farmer did dwell,
Because in her heart she loved him so well.
Now she oft-times she fired but nothing could kill,
At length that young farmer, he came into the field;
For to discourse with him, it was her intent,
With her dog and her gun for to meet him she went.
“I thought you’d been at the wedding, the wedding,” she cried,
“To wait on that squire and give him his bride.”
“O no, I’d rather take a sword all in my hand,
And by honour I would gain her if ever she command.”
Now that lady was pleased for to find him so bold,
She gave him a glove that was flowered all in gold;
She told him she had found it while coming along,
As she was a-hunting with her dog and her gun.
Now that lady went home with her heart full of love,
She gave out a notice that she had lost her glove;
And the man that do find it and bring it to me,
Whoever he may be my husband shall be.
Now that farmer was pleased for to hear of this news,
With his heart full of love to that lady he goes;
“Dear honoured lady, I’ve picked up your glove,
I hope you are pleased and will grant me your love.”
“’Tis already granted,” the lady replied,
“I love the sweet breath of a farmer,” she cried;
“I’ll be mistress of my dairy and go milking my cow,
While my jolly young farmer is a whistling at plough.”
Now when they got married, she told of the fun,
How she went a-hunting with her dog and her gun;
And now she has got him so fast in her snare,
She’ll love him for ever I vow and declare.
Emily Spiers sings The Squire’s Bride
The day was appointed the knot to be tied
And a young farmer chosen to give him his bride.
As soon as the lady the farmer did spy
Her heart was enthralled, “O I love him”, she cried.
So instead of being married she took to her bed,
The thoughts of her farmer they ran in her head.
The thoughts of her farmer they ran in her mind,
A way for to get him, she quickly did find.
The next morning early, men’s clothing put on
And she’s been out hunting with her dog and her gun.
She’s hunted all round where the farmer did dwell
Because in her heart she did love him so well.
And oft times she’d fire but nothing would kill
Till at length the young farmer came into that field
And for to discourse him it was her intent
With her dog and her gun, for to greet him she went.
“I thought you’d have been at the wedding”, she cried,
“To wait on the squire and give him his bride.”
“O no”, said the farmer, “The truth I must tell
I can’t give her away for I love her too well.”
“And what if this lady should grant you her love
And the young squire your rival should prove?”
“Why then,” said the farmer, “I’ll take sword in hand
And the valour I’ll prove and quite fearless I’ll stand.”
This lady was glad for to hear him so bold,
She’s given him a glove, ’twas all clouded with gold.
She told him she’d found it as she’d gone along
As she’d been out hunting, with her dog and her gun.
Then this lady’s gone home and her heart’s filled with love
She’s given out a speech that she’s lost her glove:
“And he that does find it and brings it to me
Well, he that does find it his bride I shall be.”
The next morning early the young man arose
And he’s dressed himself up in his finest of clothes.
He said, “Honoured lady, I’ve picked up your glove.
Now, will you be so kind as to grant me your love?”
When the wedding was over they told him the fun
How she’d been out hunting with her dog and her gun
And now that I have him so deep in my snare
I’ll love him forever, I vow and I swear.
Hannah James sings The Golden Glove
It’s of a young squire of Tamworth, we hear,
He courted a nobleman’s daughter so fair;
And for to be married, it was his intent,
All friends and relations gave their consent.
A time was appointed for their wedding day,
A young farmer chosen to give her away;
But as soon as the farmer the lady did spy,
He inflaméd her heart; “Oh, my heart!” she did cry.
She turned from the squire, but nothing she said,
Instead of being married she took to her bed;
And the thought of the young man so ran in her mind,
And a way for to have him she quickly did find.
So a waistcoat, and breeches the lady put on,
And away went a-hunting with her dog and her gun;
She hunted around where the farmer did dwell,
For she knew in her heart she did love him full well:
She oftentimes fired, but nothing she killed,
At length the young farmer came into the field;
And to discourse with him it was her intent,
With her dog and her gun to meet him she went.
“I thought you’d have been at the wedding,” she cried,
“To wait on the squire, and give him his bride.”
“Oh no,” said the farmer, “if truth I may tell,
I’ll not give her away, for I love her too well.”
“Suppose that the lady would grant you her love,
You know that the squire your rival will prove.”
“Why then,” said the farmer, “I’ll take sword in hand,
And by honour I’ll gain her if she shall command.”
It pleaséd the young lady to find him so bold;
She gave him a glove that was flowered with gold,
And she said she had found it whilst coming along,
While she was a-hunting with her dog and her gun.
The lady went home with a heart full of love,
And she gave out a notice that she’d lost a glove;
And said “Who has found it, and brings it to me,
Whoever he is; my husband shall be.”
The farmer was pleased when he heard of the news,
With a heart full of joy to the lady he goes:
“My dear, honoured lady, I’ve picked up your glove,
And I hope you’ll be pleaséd to grant me your love.”
“It’s already granted, I will be your bride;
I love the sweet breath of a farmer, she cried.
I’ll be mistress of the dairy, and milking my cow,
Whilst my jolly brisk farmer is whistling at plough.”
And when she was married she told of her fun,
How she went a-hunting with her dog and her gun:
“And now that I’ve got him caught in my snare,
I’ll enjoy him for ever, I vow and declare!”
Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer sing The Golden Glove
It’s of a young squire of Tamworth, we hear,
He courted a nobleman’s daughter so fair;
And then to be married, it was his intent,
All friends and relations they gave their consent.
The time was appointed for the wedding day,
and young farmer chosen to give her away;
As soon as the farmer the young lady did spy,
He inflaméd her heart; “Oh, my heart!” she did cry.
She turned from the squire, but nothing she said,
Instead of being married she took to her bed;
The thought of the farmer so strong in her mind,
A way for to have him she quickly did find.
Coat, waistcoat, and breeches she then did put on,
And a hunting she went with her dog and her gun;
She hunted all round where the farmer did dwell,
Because in her heart she did love him full well:
She oftentimes fired, but nothing she killed,
At length the young farmer came into the field;
And to discourse with him it was her intent,
With her dog and her gun to meet him she went.
“I thought you would be at the wedding,” she cried,
“To wait on the squire, and give him his bride.”
“No, sir,” said the farmer, “if truth I may tell,
I’ll not give her away, for I love her too well.”
“Suppose that the lady should grant you her love,
You know that the squire your rival will prove.”
“Why then,” says the farmer, “I’ll take sword in hand,
and by honour I’ll gain her if she shall command.”
It pleaséd the lady to find him so bold;
She gave him a glove that was flowered with gold,
And said that she’d found it whilst walking along,
As she was a-hunting with her dog and gun.
The lady went home with a heart full of love,
And gave out a notice that she’d lost a glove;
And when someone finds it, and brings it to me,
Whomever he is; my husband shall be.
The farmer was pleased when he heard of the news,
With a heart full of joy to the lady he goes:
“Dear, honoured lady, I bring you your glove,
And I hope you’ll be pleaséd to grant me your love.”
“It’s already granted, I will be your bride;
I love the sweet breath of a farmer, she cried.
I’ll be mistress of my dairy, and milking my cow,
Whilst my jolly brisk farmer is whistling at plough.”
And when she was married she told of her fun,
How she went a-hunting with her dog and gun:
“And now that I’ve got him so fast in my snare,
I’ll enjoy him for ever, I vow and declare!
I’ll enjoy him forever, I vow and do declare.”