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 I'm Jolly Joe the Colleir's son,
Near Oldbury town I dwell.
I've courted lasses many a one
And loved them all right well.
I courted Nancy, and young Kate,
And buxom Nelly too!
But Rachel is the girl I adore
And that you soon shall know.

Come all you colliers in this row
Who delight in a bonny lass,
Who loves to drink good ale that's brown
That sparkles in the glass.
My parents they do frown on me
And say that I'm to blame
For keeping Rachel's company
Who liveth in Mash Lane.

When I rose up one morning
At the dawning of the day.
I like to hear the small birds sing
See the lambs to skip and play.
I took a walk to Oldbury Town
Round by the Bilston hill;
And there I 'spied my own true love
With Jack of Armlow Mill.

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 I hid myself behind a shade
A distance from where they were.
He gave her kisses, one, two, three,
Not knowing I was there.
I boldly stepped up to them
Saying 'Rogue, what hast thou done?
I am Jolly Joe the Collier's son,
So you must fight or run.'

'Hold your hand, dear Joe,' she said,
'And no more of that let's have.
I will be thy servant, slave and wife,
'Til we both go to one grave'.
Then to the church young Rachel went,
Right sore against her will.
So maidens all, pity my downfall,
By Jack from Armlow Mill.

This song is also found referring to Northumberland and was widely popular as a broadsheet ballad. Although not directly to do with the canals, the collieries of the Black Country produced a lot of the trade for the canal, and also, via mine drainage, a lot of its water.

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Rod Beavon   17 Dean's Yard     London  SW1P  3PB

e-mail:  rod.beavon@westminster.org.uk