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The Golden Glove / The Squire of Tamworth / Dog and Gun

[ Roud 141 ; 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 ; Bodleian Roud 141 ; GlosTrad Roud 141 ; Wiltshire 323 , 1046 ; DT DOGGUN ; Mudcat 5466 , 89022 ; trad.]

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 by Mike Yates and Ruairidh and Alvina Greig. This was published in 1977 on his Topic LP In Sheffield Park: Traditional Songs From South Yorkshire. The Greigs noted:

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.

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.

A 1981 live recording from Shirley Collins can be found on her 4 CD anthology Within Sound.

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.

Damien Barber learned The Golden Glove from Nic Jones’ LP and recorded it for his 2000 album, The Furrowed Field.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 18^th century and several 20^th 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 honored 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.”

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.

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.

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.”