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My Jolly Waggoner Drive On

[ Roud 1302 ; Ballad Index WT236 ; Wiltshire 893 ; trad.]

Bob and Gill Berry sang My Jolly Waggoner Drive On on their 2018 WildGoose CD Echoes of Alfred. They noted:

A fun little song from the singing of David Sawyer from Ogbourne St Andrew. It would seem that this song should actually be sung by the horse! A new tune from Bob brings the song to life as the horse tries to decide who he’d prefer as a master.

Lyrics

David Sawyer sings My Jolly Waggoner Drive On	Bob and Gill Berry sing My Jolly Waggoner Drive On
I won't have a carpenter, he's stingy with his chips; I'd rather have a waggoner to whip me with his whips.	I won't have a carpenter, he's stingy with his chips; I'd rather have a waggoner who whips me with his whips.
Chorus (after each verse): Way! Wo-utt! Drive on! My jolly waggoner, drive on.	Chorus (after each verse): Way up! Wo-utt! Drive on! My jolly waggoner, drive on.
I won't have a blacksmith, his apron is so black; I'd rather have a waggoner to whip me on the back.	I won't have a blacksmith, his apron is so black; I'd rather have a waggoner to whip me on my back.
I won't have a cowman with a milk pail on his head; I'd rather have a waggoner who'd whip me instead.	I won't have a cowman with his milk pail on his head; I'd rather have a waggoner who'd whip me instead.
I won't have a shepherd that goes tending his flock; I'd rather have a waggoner as stupid as a block.	I won't have a shepherd that goes tending of his flock; I'd rather have a waggoner as stupid as a block.
I won't have a mower that goes mowing down the grass; I'd rather have a waggoner who'll talk to his lass.	I won't have a mower a-mowing down the grass; I'd rather have a waggoner who's talking to his lass.
I won't have a reaper, to go reaping in the sun; I'd rather have a waggoner, though goods he have none.	I won't have a reaper a-reaping in the sun; I'd rather have a waggoner, though goods he have none.
I won't have a thresher with his sieve and his flail; I'd rather have a waggoner, though he whips me a good deal.	I won't have a thresher with sieve and with flail; I'd rather have a waggoner, though he whips me a good deal.
And a miller I'll have none of grinds on the stream; I'd rather have a waggoner who's handy with his team.	A miller I'll have none of that's grinding by the stream; But I will a waggoner who's handy with his team.