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137
A Rambling Young Fellow l
1. When I was a rambling young fellow
I never look care of me life,
A-rolling and rambling forever,
In every pon a fresh wife.
But give me the girl that will love me,
And bless me in this happy life,
And dance unto me a fresh caper,
A coumry girl for a wife.
2. I have been in cold frosty weather,
I have been in love hot and cold;
I ventured me life on the ocean,
I ventured me life for gold.
But now since the wars they're all over,
And we are safe landed on shore,
Now blow me and bless me forever
If I goes to sea anymore.
3. I'll send for me friends and relations.
I'll send for them every one,
And all for to make them quile welcome.
I'll send for a cask of gd rum, boys,
And two or three barrels more beer,
II's all for to welcome the lassie
That meets me at Derrydown Fair.
4. Oh when I'm dead and gone.
And there is an end to me life,
Don't never lay sighing or sobbing,
But do a good turn for me wife;
Don't never lay sighing or sobbing,
There's one single thing more do I crave,
Dress up in blue jacket and trousers,
And fiddle and dance to my grave.
5. Let there Ix: six sailors to carry me,
And may they be damnable dnmk,
A-rolling and rambling forever,
And p'rhaps they might fall in me ounk;
Let them all fall a-cursing and swearing,
Like men that is going to run mad,
JUSt tip a glass over my coffin,
Saying, 'There goes a jolly brisk lad."
So far, the evocation of the Newfoundland wake suggests the largely secular and
social more than religious character of the event. Historical evidence indeed speaks for the
exceptionally long absence of any "professional" accompaniment-·be it medical or sacred·-
1Peacock. Songs 3:880-1.