Four Jolly Fellows Collected by Bob Copper in about 1954, from Fred Hewett, of Mapledurwell [pronounced 'Mapley-well'], Hants: see Chapter Sixteen, pp. 135-140, of Songs and Southern Breezes for the details; and the appendix for these words.
There was four jolly fellows come over the hill together,
Come over the hill together to join that jovial crew.The first to come in was a tinker and he was no small beer-drinker
And he was no small beer-drinker to join that jovial crew.
Have you got any pots or kettles to fettle?
My rivets are made of the very best metal
And in the holes or bottom I'll fettle,
When Joans's ale was new.The next to come in was a hatter and I've never seen none much fatter,
I've never seen none much fatter to join the jovial crew.
He flung his old hat down on the ground
And swore every man should spend a crown,
And that would make a good drink all the way round,
When Joans's ale was new.The next to come in was a soldier with his firelock over his shoulder,
With his firelock over his shoulder to join that jovial crew.
The landlord's daughter she came in,
He kissed her betwixt the nose and the chin
And the pots of beer came rolling in,
When Joans's ale was new.The next to come in was a mason and his hammer it did want facing,
His hammer it did want facing to join the jovial crew.
He rattled his hammer against the wall
And swore that churches and chapels should fall
And that would make work for masons all,
When Joans's ale was new.
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