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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

The most enduring song from the opera Ivanhoe is The Friar's song - Ho, Jolly Jenkin. The friar's part in the narrative is a fleeting one, but his song in the opera became an instant big hit as a concert solo, and was even recorded on a gramophone record! Today it is as popular as ever on the concert platform.

This is our background music to this page. It's a terrific musical piece, a fitting tribute to English Literature's most famous friar - Friar Tuck¹. It is a real spine tingler! The lively melody is superb, and listen to those delightful lightly woven textures in the hymn-like harmony! We hope you like our arrangement.

Have a good sing² with Arthur and Julian {don't forget to listen out for Arthur's musical twiddles (and one or two of MusicSmiles' too!)}. 

Ho, Jolly Jenkin
(The Friar's Song)

Introduction . . . . 

The wind blows cold across the moor, . . .
With driving rain and rending tree: . . .
It smites the pious hermit's door,
But not a jot cares he:
For close he sits within,
And makes his merry din,
Close he sits within,
And makes his merry din,

With his "Ho, jolly Jenkin,
I spy a knave in drinkin':
And trowl . . . the brown bowl to me!
Then ho, jolly Jenkin,
I spy a knave in drinkin':
And trowl, . . . and trowl the bonny bowl to me!"

 . . . . . . . . . . .

The wind a roaring song may sing, . . .
In crashing wood or frighted town; . . .
It whirls the mantle of a king
As 'twere a beggar's gown;
But caring not a jot,
We sing and drain the pot,
Caring not a jot,
We sing and drain the pot,

With our "Ho, jolly Jenkin,
I spy a knave in drinkin':
And trowl . . . the brown bowl to me!
Then ho, jolly Jenkin,
I spy a knave in drinkin':
And trowl, . . . and trowl the bonny bowl to me!

Chorus - Then ho, jolly Jenkin,
I spy a knave in drinkin':
And trowl . . . the brown bowl to me!
Then ho, jolly Jenkin,
I spy a knave in drinkin':
Then trowl, . . . then trowl the bonny bowl to me!"

And now for Rebecca's Prayer . . .?

1.    Footnote: Friar Tuck is traditionally identified with Robin Hood, the outlaw mentioned in many medieval tales of chivalry. Here, he is one of Locksley's followers. Friars were very influential members of society in the days of Richard the Lion Heart, and Friar Tuck was no exception. His fame still lingers on in more modern versions of the legend.

2.    Footnote: For concert performance, when there is no male chorus, the soloist also sings the choral reprise. MusicSmiles songsters please note!

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