  The origin of this popular old ballad has yet to be ascertained. At present it has puzzled more heads than one, and its elucidation must be left to future research. Its principal characteristic is its bold extravagance. Derby and Derby people have, however, I know by references to allusions to it, been fond of their Ram for more than a century. How much older it is than that time is difficult to say. There are several versions of the ballad: the one I here give is, however, the most complete I have met with. The "Derby Ram" has been set as a glee by Dr. Callcott, and is still sung with much applause at public dinners in the town. So popular, indeed, is the Ram in the district, that a few years ago—in 1855—the First Regiment of Derbyshire Militia, whose barracks and head quarters are at Derby, carrying out the idea of the Welsh Fusileers with their goat, attached a fine Ram to the staff of the regiment. So well trained was he, and so evidently proud of his post, that he marched with a stately step in front of the band as they marched day by day through the town while up for training, and attracted quite as much notice as any drum-major ever did. More than this, a political periodical, a kind of provincial Charivarri, has been issued under the title of the "Derby Ram," which is supposed to butt at party doings, and at local abuses of various kinds; and I write this note with a steel pen which bears the extraordinary name stamped upon it of the "Derby Ram pen!" As I was going to Darby, Sir, All on a market day, I met the finest Ram, Sir, That ever was fed on hay. Daddle-i-day, daddle-i-day, Fal-de-ral, fal-de-ral, daddle-i-day. This Ram was fat behind, Sir, This Ram was ten yards high, Sir, Indeed he was no more. Daddle-i-day, &c. The Wool upon his back, Sir, Reached up unto the sky, The Eagles made their nests there, Sir, For I heard the young ones cry. Daddle-i-day, &c. The Wool upon his belly, Sir, It dragged upon the ground, It was sold in Darby town, Sir, For forty thousand pound. Daddle-i-day, &c. The space between his horns, Sir, Was as far as a man could reach, And there they built a pulpit For the Parson there to preach. Daddle-i-day, &c. The teeth that were in his mouth, Sir, Were like a regiment of men; And the tongue that hung between them, Sir, Would have dined them twice and again. This Ram jumped o'er a wall, Sir, His tail caught on a briar, It reached from Darby town, Sir, All into Leicestershire. Daddle-i-day, &c. And of this tail so long, Sir, 'Twas ten miles and an ell, They made a goodly rope, Sir, To toll the market bell. Daddle-i-day, &c. This Ram had four legs to walk on, Sir, This Ram had four legs to stand, And every leg he had, Sir, Stood on an acre of land. Daddle-i-day, &c. The Butcher that killed this Ram, Sir, Was drownded in the blood, And the boy that held the pail, Sir, Was carried away in the flood. Daddle-i-day, &c. All the maids in Darby, Sir, To take them to coopers, To make them milking gawns. Daddle-i-day, &c. The little boys of Darby, Sir, They came to beg his eyes, To kick about the streets, Sir, For they were football Daddle-i-day, &c. The tanner that tanned its hide, Sir, Would never be poor any more, For when he had tanned and retched It covered all Sinfin Moor. Daddle-i-day, &c. The Jaws that were in his head, Sir, They were sold to a Methodist Parson, For a pulpit to preach in. Daddle-i-day, &c. Indeed, Sir, this is true, Sir, I never was taught to lie, And had you been to Darby, Sir, You'd have seen it as well as I. Daddle-i-day, daddle-i-day, Fal-de-ral, fal-de-ral, daddle-i-day. |
|
