Treasa O'Driscoll sings this song on her album Farewell but Whenever, from which I learned it. A frequent theme of tragic love songs--a young girl being married off to an old man in an arranged marriage--is based on the economic and cultural realities of nineteenth century (and earlier) Ireland. The first-born son, who inherited the farm, couldn't marry until his father died and he would inherit the means to support a wife and family. It was also often thought that the house, however large, was not big enough for two married couples. Hence, many a man did not marry until he was in his forties, fifties, or even older.
In addition, most marriages were arranged, and a prospective husband with land, as in this case, was greatly desired. Most farm houses (cottages, really) were so small that the bed was pushed against the wall with the woman of the house traditionally sleeping nearer the wall. Hence the euphemism for making love, which is the central image of the song. The unknown composer constructs a compelling plot with an ironic denouement and includes character development all within the six short verses. Brilliant!
It also includes, I must admit, a Calvinist cautionary element.
It has been published in Robin Morton's Folksongs Sung in Ulster, where he suggests that it's of Scottish origin. Robin collected it from Frank Mills, Milltown, Co. Tyrone, who sang it to the tune of The Maid of the Sweet Brown Knowe. I know of no other recordings of this version of the song although there is a substantially different version, in which the maid wants a "glamour boy," that has been recorded by Áine Uí Cheallaigh and others.
lyrics
6. Roll me from the Wall
(Roud 8302) Traditional
When I was young some years ago, from trouble I was free.
The boys they used to court me, how dearly they loved me.
They often said how lucky I'd be, when winter storms would fall,
If I could have for mine a youth so fine to roll me from the wall.
Now an old man came a-courting and he was four score or more.
He had long gray hair and a curly beard but he had gold in store.
There wasn't a trace on his face of a youthful sign at all.
And I was told that he was too old to roll me from the wall.
But when my parents heard the news, sure they got very bold.
They said I'd have to marry him if he was twice as old.
So just to satisfy my parents, I went without a bawl,
But sadly he neglected for to roll me from the wall.
Now this old man was feeble and his bones were cold as clay,
And like a frozen ice-berg he there beside me lay.
I often laid in bed and prayed that the Lord would on him call,
So I could have for mine a youth so fine to roll me from the wall.
After six long months of married life, sure this old man took sick and died.
His money and land he left to me as I stood by his side.
With money and land at my command, that I might enjoy them all,
I could have for mine my youth so fine to roll me from the wall.
When the funeral was over and all was said and done,
I got wed to a nice young man I thought the sun shone on.
But very soon, sure he'd gone through my money, land, and all;
And now I suffer severely for my rolling from the wall.
David entertains in the old-fashioned way, with warmth and wit, as if he were sitting with the audience around the turf fire
in an Irish cottage long ago. David has been singing old-style Irish songs for 40 years and is deeply invested in collecting, researching, and performing them authentically and entertainingly....more
