The Butcher and the Tailor's Wife
Encyclopedia
"The Butcher and the Tailor's Wife" also known as Benjamin Bowmaneer (Roud
#1528) is a traditional English folk song
.
It dates from the mid-17th century and existing in several versions, for example The Tailor's Breeches, The Tailor and the Louse and the Bold Trooper. In all versions the tailor suffers a variety of humiliating indignities.
, the tailor is a cowardly man dominated by his wife. She goes to the butcher for a joint of meat and hatches a plan whereby her husband is to hide under the bed with a sword while she lies with the butcher, explaining that, by doing this, her husband might become a rich butcher himself! When the time arrives the butcher sees the tailor's leg and, thinking it belongs to a dog, announces that he will fire a gunshot to scare it away. On hearing this the tailor leaps up and says that, if the butcher spares his life, he can have his wife.
In other versions, the wife is replaced by a louse and with whom the tailor goes to battle. Eventually, and despite many humiliating reverses witnessed by tinker, broom-makers and beggars, the tailor emerges victorious but it is a pyrrhic victory.
Nic Jones
used the same title on his 1970 album, Ballads and Songs
Eliza Carthy
recorded the song as Benjamin Bowmaneer on her 1998 album, Red Rice
Jigby/Michèle Welborn recorded the song with the same title on their 1999 album, Jigby History
Roud Folk Song Index
The Roud Folk Song Index is a database of 300,000 references to over 21,600 songs that have been collected from oral tradition in the English language from all over the world...
#1528) is a traditional English folk song
Folk music of England
Folk music of England refers to various types of traditionally based music, often contrasted with courtly, classical and later commercial music, for which evidence exists from the later medieval period. It has been preserved and transmitted orally, through print and later through recordings...
.
It dates from the mid-17th century and existing in several versions, for example The Tailor's Breeches, The Tailor and the Louse and the Bold Trooper. In all versions the tailor suffers a variety of humiliating indignities.
Synopsis
In a version sung by Nic JonesNic Jones
Nicolas Paul "Nic" Jones is an English folk singer, fingerstyle guitarist and fiddle player whose professional career spanned the years 1964-1982. He recorded five solo albums, and was a frequent guest performer.-Biography:...
, the tailor is a cowardly man dominated by his wife. She goes to the butcher for a joint of meat and hatches a plan whereby her husband is to hide under the bed with a sword while she lies with the butcher, explaining that, by doing this, her husband might become a rich butcher himself! When the time arrives the butcher sees the tailor's leg and, thinking it belongs to a dog, announces that he will fire a gunshot to scare it away. On hearing this the tailor leaps up and says that, if the butcher spares his life, he can have his wife.
In other versions, the wife is replaced by a louse and with whom the tailor goes to battle. Eventually, and despite many humiliating reverses witnessed by tinker, broom-makers and beggars, the tailor emerges victorious but it is a pyrrhic victory.
Recordings
Paul Clayton recorded this song as The Butcher and the Tailor's Wife on his 1958 album, Unholy MatrimonyNic Jones
Nic Jones
Nicolas Paul "Nic" Jones is an English folk singer, fingerstyle guitarist and fiddle player whose professional career spanned the years 1964-1982. He recorded five solo albums, and was a frequent guest performer.-Biography:...
used the same title on his 1970 album, Ballads and Songs
Eliza Carthy
Eliza Carthy
Eliza Carthy is an English folk musician known for both singing and playing fiddle. She is the daughter of English folk musicians singer/guitarist Martin Carthy and singer Norma Waterson.-Life and career:...
recorded the song as Benjamin Bowmaneer on her 1998 album, Red Rice
Jigby/Michèle Welborn recorded the song with the same title on their 1999 album, Jigby History