Three Jolly Rogues

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 drowned in a damThe Weaver got hung in his yarnThe Tailor tripped as he ran away with the broadcloth under his arm.

Lyrics (version from "Three Jolly Rogues of Lynn", performed by Tim Hart and Friends)

In good King Arthur's dayWhen we served under the KingLived a miller and a weaver and a little tailorThree jolly rogues of Lynn.Now the miller he stole cornAnd the weaver he stole yarnAnd the little tailor he stole broadclothFor to keep those three rogues warmNow the miller was drowned in his damAnd the weaver was hanged in his yarnAnd the devil put his claw on the little tailorWith the broadcloth under his armNow the miller still drowns in his damAnd the weaver still hangs in his yarnAnd the little tailor he skips through hellWith 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

Otto von Bismarck (1889) In good old colony times...

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)

Alice Stuart on "All The Good Times" (1964)

The Watersons on "New Voices" (various artists) (1965)

The Clancy Brothers on "Freedom's Sons" (1966)

Roger Nicholson on "Nonesuch for Dulcimer" (1972) (performed by Nicholson (mountain dulcimer) and Bob Johnson (guitar/vocals); here, the song is titled "In Good King Arthur's Day")

Tim Hart on "The Drunken Sailor and other Kids Favourites" (1983)

Tom Paxton on "A Folksong Festival" (Pax Records, 1986)