“My Father Had an Acre of Land”
Description
"My father had an acre of land, Hey ho, sing ivy, My father had an acre of land, With a bunch of green holly and ivy." He farmed it in impossible ways: "plowed it with a team of rats," "rolled it with a rolling pin," "thrashed it with a hazel twig"
Notes
This song is sometimes listed as a variant of "The Elfin Knight" [Child 2], and in fact they share many ideas and some lyrics. However, the crucial element of "The Elfin Knight" is the dialog, whereas this is a song of impossible deeds. The should be kept separate. - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "The Elfin Knight" [Child 2] (theme)
Recordings
- Bob & Ron Copper, "My Father Had an Acre of Land" (on FSB4)
- Charlie Potter, "Sing Ivy" (on Voice14)
- Tony Wales, "Sing Ivy" (on TWales1)
References
- Kennedy 300, "My Father Had an Acre of Land" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Flanders-Ancient1, pp. 51-78, "The Elfin Knight' (12 texts plus 3 fragments, not all from New England; 8 tunes; mostly of Child #2, but the "N" text, which has no tune, appears to be this song)
- Opie-Oxford2 158, "My father left me three acres of land" (1 text)
- Roud #12
- BI, K300