Jimmy Drummond

On Springthyme SPRCD 1043
Shepheard, Spiers & Watson: Over the High Hills

Pete Shepheard: A traveller man is arrested for stealing chickens and put in jail, leaving his wife and children scattered. He seems to regret his ways and vows to go 'a-chouran' no more - unless he should go on such a venture alone. I have heard this from several traveller singers and it is collated from the singing of John Stewart recorded at Peat Inn, Fife in April 1967 (67.2.16), Mary Reid, Peat Inn April 1967 (67.2.17), John MacDonald, Marshall’s Field, Alyth August 1965 (65.17) and from Willie McPhee of Perth. (Roud 2506)

Pete (vocal and melodeon) with Tom (fiddle) and Arthur (whistle)

1: O ma name it is young Jimmy Drummond,
I travelled fae Campbelltown;
And last night I layed in a granzie, [barn
Ma mort an ma kenchens free. [wife; children

2: But tonight I lie in kerstardee, [house; jail
An I cannae nash avree; [run; away
An ma mort an ma kenchens lie scattered,
An I dinna jan whaur they may be. [know

3: Now if ever youse dae bing a-chouran, [go stealing
See i ye nash be yersel; [that you go by yourself
For a-chouran for gannies be dozens, [stealing of chickens by dozens
I was sentenced one twelvemonth tae jail.

4: For the sherriff says, “Drummond, you’re guilty,
You are lookin so white and so pale;
But it’s quickly I altered my colours,
When I heard I had a twelvemonth in jail.

5: But when I do get out o kerstardee,
I’ll go back to the girl that I know;
In steads of gold rings on her fingers
She’ll be wearing gold rings on her toes.

6: I will yoke up my ox and my waggons,
An I’ll go a-chouran no more;
For when I do get out o kerstardee,
I’ll go back to the girl I adore.

7: But if ever I dae bing a-chouran,
I’ll be sure an I’ll gang be masel;
I will moud aa the gannies in dozens, [kill
For there’ll be naebody there for tae tell.