All Jolly Fellows
Speed the Plough track 23
A song which was widespread throughout England, this version was printed in Lucy Broadwood's English County Songs under the title 'Twas Early One Morning. It is one of four songs included in the Oxfordshire section of that book, and the source for all three is given as Mr. R. Bennell (although the words printed for this song are "from a gardener's boy in Berkshire").
I am indebted to Irene Shettle, who is researching Lucy Broadwood's song collecting activities, for providing me with information about this Mr Bennell, and with transcripts of three letters which he sent to Broadwood in November 1891.
It seems that Mr Bennell, who made his living as a professional cornet player, had been brought up in or near Nettlebed in Oxfordshire (we're not sure at this stage how old he was in 1891, or how long it was since he had left the area). He wrote out from memory the words and tunes of a few songs which he recalled having been sung in the Nettlebed area, and sent them to Broadwood. Here is the full text of his first letter, dated Richmond, November 16th 1891, which must have accompanied the words and music of 'All Jolly Fellows':
Dear Madam
I have written the tune of (It was early etc) as I have always heard it sung round about Nettlebed in Oxfordshire where I was brought up. I have herd strangers sing it to the air of Villikins and his Dinah, which melody you are no doubt acquainted with. I have also written two more, one I may call the Nettlebed Cricket Song as I have never heard a word of the song or a bar of the melody sung in any of my travels. Neither of the songs I have dotted down have the peculiar quaintness and minor tendency of most of our most rural district songs but I could commit several to paper, but the words I could not easily obtain now I am away. I have written the two first and the two last verses of the Leathern Bottle. I can remember no more. There are various difficulties in the way as regards the words of songs; our ancestors in their simplicity were rather coarse even in their sentimental ditties. This for one thing gives rise to a difficulty where as regards the tune there would be none. In answer to your enquiry as to my profession I beg to state that I am a musician and play the cornet for a living in all lines of the business theatrical or otherwise. I object to publicity regarding myself unless consulted. Any remuneration for my little efforts would be thankfully received to cover postage etc. If these songs should give you any satisfaction or be of any help to you in your labours I will furnish you with another or two.
Followed by Speed the Plough
You can hear a live recording of Magpie Lane performing this song at the 2007 Banbury Folk Festival, at A Folk Song A Week Week 43 – All Jolly Fellows that Follow the Plough.
