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Wiltshire Community History

Folk Song Information

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Book Title

Author

Date

Notes

Song Title	Jolly miller
Roud No.	22067
Collected From	Smith, Raymond
Location	Bibury
County	Gloucestershire
Collected By	Williams, Alfred
Alternative Title
Tune
Date
Source Primary	WSRO: 2598/36 Packet 2 - Gloucestershire: Williams, A: MS collection No Gl 60
Source Secondary	Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 8th July, 1916, p 3, Part 36, No. 5
Recording

Song Lyrics
Verse 1 I live at the mill, at the foot of the hill, Where the stream runs rippling by, And for ten miles around, there cannot be found, A merrier fellow than I. For I laugh and I sing, and drive away care, I've enough for my wants and a little spare, And if any old friend should pass my way, I'll make him as welcome as the flowers in May. Verse 2 The jolly old mill, it stands there still, As it did in my father's time, Who often used to sing to me, This little bit of rhyme. "Remember my boy, don't turn up your nose, At poorer people in plainer clothes, But think, for the sake of your mind's repose, That life's but a bubble that comes and goes." Verse 3 I have never seen the pleasure yet, Of dressing very loud, I think there's little good to be got, In looking very proud, Or passing over when you meet, Some old acquaintance in the street, I may be wrong, but then, you know, It is always the style of the miller, just so. Verse 4 You know I always think it best, To pay your tailor's bill, And pay your wrong and injury With good instead of ill; In fact, I think it best to do, As you'd have other do to you, I may be wrong, but then you know, It is always the style of the miller, just so.

Print Song Lyrics

Notes
Note 1 Williams, Alfred: Ms / WGS: 'Songs dealing with the miller and his trade were generally popular, though perhaps with those of higher intelligence and better education than with the bulk of the rustics. At the same time I have met with the two following songs [Miller of Dee] in many villages and have heard them from farm labourers. Copy obtained of Raymond Smith, gamekeeper, Bibury.' Note 2 In the file is what I presume to be the original transcription in pencil of the song which has the signature, 'Keeper Smith, Bibury' Transcribed and edited by Chris Wildridge, 2010.