Three Jolly Rogues

Three Jolly Rogues is an English folk song.

Synopsis

A miller, a weaver and a tailor lived in King Arthur's time (or in "Good Old Colonial times"). They were thrown out because they could not sing. All three were thieves. They are suitably punished.

:The Miller got drown'd in his dam:The Weaver got hung in his yarn :And the devil clapp'd his paw on the little Tailor, :With the broadcloth under his arm.

Printed versions

The earliest complete text is a broadside in the Bodleian library, dated 1804, "The Miller Weaver and Little Tailor". It is also known as "In Good King Arthur's Days". The song is quoted by Thomas Hardy in "Under the Greenwood Tree". It is known in the USA from the early nineteenth century, usually as "In Good Old Colony Times"

Recorded versions

* Richard Dyer-Bennet on "Richard Dyer-Bennet 6 - With Young People in Mind" (1958)
* Oscar Brand on "Songs Inane Only" (1958)
* The Highwaymen (folk band) on "Standing Room Only!" (1961)
* Ed McCurdy on "The Folk Box" (various artists) (1964)
* The Watersons on "New Voices" (various artists) (1965)
* The Clancy Brothers on "Freedom's Sons" (1966)
* Tim Hart on "The Drunken Sailor and other Kids Favourites" (1983)

External links

* [http://www.contemplator.com/america/colony.html Lyrics]
* [http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/ballads/R112.html Columbia State University]