I first heard the "The Jolly Waggoner" from
Brian Kelly, erstwhile member of the
Idle Fellows, in the early 1980's and his version is the one that I then transcribed and still sing now and then today. The song seems to be pretty rare as I've not found it mentioned anywhere on the Internet but I do have, in my opinion, a poorer version of just three verses to be found in
Twice 44 Sociable Songs collected and arranged by Geoffrey Shaw.
Brian's version is about the joys of waggoning both in winter and summer and also comments on the changes coming through steam vehicles.
