This tall story is actually one of several Australian variants of the English song “The Derby Ram’, also known as “The Darby Ram”, “The Albany Ram” and “The Ram of Dalby.” Some versions, including the one I do, are fairly close to a sea chanty in form. Many versions of the song have also found their way to America. Folksong collectors, Albert L. Lloyd and Bill Scott believed that it has its roots in pagan fertility ritual. A series of mummers plays are traditionally performed around Derby every year, the highlight of which is the symbolic slaying of the ram, played by a performer covered with a sack through which protrudes a broomstick with a ram’s head impaled upon it. The butcher stabs it in the throat and a boy catches the blood in his bowl, an event which is referred to in many versions of the song. The suggestion is that this grew out of some earlier pagan sacrifice ritual. You can see a playlist of my Australian songs here: www.youtube.com For a playlist of all my a capella songs: www.youtube.com For lyrics and chords of my songs go to my website: www.raymondcrooke.com
Video Rating: 5 / 5
Hello Raymond one of the classic song well done lots of hugs kisses love Gizmo xox
So do I. Usually, the older the song the more variations you can find. This is especially true of the Child Ballads. I’ve uploaded four different versions of Child #95 (The Maid Freed From the Gallows) and have heard several more.
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Awesome! I love hearing how the same song can take such diverse forms.
Thanks, Marguerite.
You’re singing well!
Thanks for listening to my version.
very nice version of this song – i have been listening to the andy stewart rendition of the darby ram, this is a nice variation.
Thank you.
I have taught some as part of English classes, when I was teaching in Australia.
nice work
You should teach music history if you don’t already. I would take that class!
Thanks, Shawn.
Thanks. Glad you liked it.
Great job Ray.
This is very true, but I was having a short attention span today and the song fit my mood nicely !
thank you very much for the link!
Thanks, Chris. The folk process is fascinating, isn’t it?
Oh, I love it so much! One of your best ever.
Derby Ram crossed with Blow Away The Morning Dew!
Generations of British schoolchildren (myself included) learnt The Derby Ram from the radio programme Singing Together.
Thanks, Alex.
I thought you’d like this one, Ranzo. I’ve put a link to your rendition of the chantey by making this a video response to it.
You’re welcome. I guess it doesn’t really tell much of a story though – just a series of exaggerations.
Thanks for this one Raymond.
Alex…
Wow! How can I help but love this?: a great Australian ballad, with lots of juicy verses, belted out in bold a capella, and a connection to a chantey to boot!
I know you’ve already seen it, but in case anyone else is interested in the whaling version of this ballad (with scenes of the last existing traditional whaling bark!) here’s me:
/watch?v=fYPfjLrIS2U
I love a capalla story songs! Thanks for sharing Raymond!