THE JOLLY SHEPHERD BOY

This is another song of “A Wandering Tip's.” Going by the words it seems he was Irish sheep farmer in the 1870’s. Here-in he details his life and the nature surrounding him,“nought for us of dread import when on the pampa wide.” The first line “I am a jolly Shepherd boy and live upon the plain” tells us this song is an Argentinian version of the traditional song “The Jolly Beggarman” which goes, “I am a jolly beggarman tripping oer the plain.”

I am a jolly shepherd boy
And live upon the plain
Oh! once I was my parents’ joy
Ere first I crossed the main
And all the comfort now I seek
Is in the flowing glass
And stroll to town just once a week 
To court a Spanish lass.

Chorus: Then let us toast the shepherds gay 
And fill our glasses high
Let us be merry whilst we may
And live it out so spry.

Ours is a life of heat and cold
Of sun and chilly days:
The lightning’s flash and thunder rolled 
From heaven’s deepest bays
Have nought for us of dread import 
When on the pampa wide
Nor do we seek the shade to court
At summer’s fiercest tide.

Chorus: Then let us etc.

The shepherd’s is a humble cot 
And frugal is his fare
He envies not the rich man’s lot 
For he is free from care 
His faithful dog and gallant steed 
He values next his life 
For they are always with him 
Companions through his strife.

Chorus: Then let us etc.

Oh! who’d not be a shepherd boy 
Beyond La Plata’s mouth
Oh! who’d exchange for cities’ joy 
For The pampas of the South?
For Freedom has her regal seat 
Upon this ocean plain 
And should she e’er from here retreat 
We’ll follow in her train.

Chorus: Then let us etc.

A Wandering Tip.

El Monitor de la Campaña N° 37, March 4th, 1872.