The Tarves Rant
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1954.91.B7
Original Tape ID
Summary
A group of farm workers go on the spree. On the way home, the singer becomes separated from his comrades and gets into a fight with a policeman. The man struggles as the policeman tries to arrest him, and the policeman eventually locks him in a room at the inn. The man escapes through a window but is immediately apprehended once more. He is taken to court in Aberdeen and fined 30 shillings plus 15 shillings to replace the policeman's coat. In the valedictory verse, the singer warns other ploughboys to avoid doing as he has done.
Geordie Robertson heard the song around 40 years previously at Yokieshill [near Mintlaw]. A cattleman made the song up about himself.
Item Notes
12 verses.
See:
Greig-Duncan, vol. 3, pp. 391-396, no. 576
Recording Location
County - Aberdeenshire
Parish - Aberdeen
Village/Place - Aberdeen
Item Location
County - Aberdeenshire
Parish - Tarves
Village/Place - Tarves
Language
English, Scots
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Good