“Row-Dow-Dow”
Description
Singer, Clarkie, and two others go out poaching pheasants; keepers arrive, and the singer and Clarkie are captured. They are taken to Wandsworth Gaol. Released on Christmas eve, he has a drink and rejoices, but Clarkie doesn't get out until mid-January
Long description
Singer, his friend Clarkie and two others go out poaching pheasants; keepers arrive, the two other men leave, and the singer and Clarkie are captured and charged before the magistrate. Convicted, he asks to be fined but is sentenced to six weeks; his friend gets two months. They are taken to Wandsworth Gaol; he sneaks his tobacco in past the guards. He is put to work pumping water and grinding flour. Released on Christmas eve, he has a drink and rejoices, but Clarkie doesn't get out until mid-January
Notes
According to Kennedy, Goshen was either a local placename or the owner of a game preserve. The tune, variously known as "The Barking Barber" or "Bow Wow Wow," is said to date from the time of George II; Chappell published it in 1858. - PJS
Cross references
- cf. "Bow Wow Wow" (tune) and references there
Recordings
- George Maynard, "Shooting Goshen's Cocks Up" (on Maynard1)
References
- Kennedy 354, "Row-Dow-Dow" (1 text, 1 tune)
- DT, ROWDOWDW
- Roud #902
- BI, K354