Uploaded December 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Will o' the Lum / Down Derry Down / Will the Weaver (Roud No. 432) - Sung by Annie Patterson (82 years old at the time) of St. Andrew's, Orkney, Scotland. Recorded by Peter Kennedy on 1955-07-15.
Note by Kevin W.:
"Will o' the Lum" appears to be a Scottish variant of the British broadside "Will the Weaver", a song that has been recorded more frequently in the United States. Its humour may have aged poorly but it proved to be a source of amusement for generations of singers.
The "Down Derry Down" tune was frequently used for ribaldry ballads and humorous songs. It's a good one.
One notable example of the tune is the ballad "King John and the Bishop" (Child 45): youtube.com/watch?v=YgdQwAldxNA
Song transcription to be added:
One night to the fishing Jock had for to go...
Will o' the Lum / Down Derry Down / Will the Weaver (Roud No. 432) - Sung by Annie Patterson (82 years old at the time) of St. Andrew's, Orkney, Scotland. Recorded by Peter Kennedy on 1955-07-15.
Note by Kevin W.:
"Will o' the Lum" appears to be a Scottish variant of the British broadside "Will the Weaver", a song that has been recorded more frequently in the United States. Its humour may have aged poorly but it proved to be a source of amusement for generations of singers.
The "Down Derry Down" tune was frequently used for ribaldry ballads and humorous songs. It's a good one.
One notable example of the tune is the ballad "King John and the Bishop" (Child 45): youtube.com/watch?v=YgdQwAldxNA
Song transcription to be added:
One night to the fishing Jock had for to go...
