Folk Song for September 2023: Aiken Drum

Our first song of the year is "Aiken Drum,” a Scottish folk song.

There are two quite different versions. The first, also spelled Aikendrum, is known as the Scottish country dance version; and the second is a funny song about a man who “played upon a ladle” and whose clothes were made of all kinds of foods. This useful document at Can Do Music shows some of its evolution. For instance, we now sing that Aiken Drum lived "in the moon," but the original phrase was likely "in the toon," or "town."

Which song are we recommending for AO users? Either, or both. Those with younger children may prefer to stick to the second version as it is simple to learn and fun to sing. Canadian children’s entertainer Raffi included an updated version of Aiken Drum in his 1976 album Singable Songs for the Very Young, in which Aiken Drum’s hair was made of spaghetti and so on. We prefer the more traditional version in which “his coat was made of good roast beef” and “his buttons were made of penny loaves.” However, there is a tradition of allowing listeners to choose which foods make up Aiken Drum’s wardrobe, so feel free to add your favourites. Just don’t leave out the ladle.

Those who already know this song, who have older children, or who want to explore Scottish heritage, may be more interested in the “country dance” version, which was recorded by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger on their 1956 album Classic Scots Ballads. MacColl notes that the lyrics refer to “the state of the Whig and Jacobite armies immediately previous to the battle of  Sheriffmuir,” but that “the name ‘Aikendrum’ is taken from a Scots children’s song for no other apparent reason but that it ‘sings’ well.”  So, interestingly, the nursery song seems to have existed before the “history” version.

Lyrics (Version One)

Ken ye how a Whig can fight, Aikendrum, Aikendrum?

Ken ye how a Whig can fight, Aikendrum?

He can fight the hero bright, with his heels and armour light

And the wind of heavenly night, Aikendrum, Aikendrum:

Is not Rowley in the right, Aikendrum?

Did ye hear of Sunderland, Aikendrum, Aikendrum?

Did ye hear of Sunderland, Aikendrum?

That man of high command who had sworn to clear the land,

He has vanished from our strand, Aikendrum, Aikendrum:

Or the eel has ta'en the sand, Aikendrum.

Donald's running round and round, Aikendrum, Aikendrum.

Donald's running round and round, Aikendrum.

But the Chief cannot be found, and the Dutchmen they are drowned,

And King Jamie he is crowned, Aikendrum, Aikendrum:

But the dogs will get a stound, Aikendrum.

We have heard of Whigs galore, Aikendrum, Aikendrum.

We have heard of Whigs galore, Aikendrum.

But we've sought the country o'er, with cannon and claymore,

And still they are before, Aikendrum, Aikendrum:

We may seek forevermore, Aikendrum!

Ken ye how to gain a Whig, Aikendrum, Aikendrum?

Ken ye how to gain a Whig, Aikendrum?

Look jolly, blythe and big, take his ain blest side, and prig,

And the poor, worm-eaten Whig, Aikendrum, Aikendrum:

For opposition's sake you will win!

Lyrics (Version Two)

There was a man lived in the moon, lived in the moon, lived in the moon,

There was a man lived in the moon,

And his name was Aiken Drum.

Chorus:

And he played upon a ladle, a ladle, a ladle,

And he played upon a ladle,

and his name was Aiken Drum.

 

And his hat was made of good cream cheese, of good cream cheese, of good cream cheese,

And his hat was made of good cream cheese,

And his name was Aiken Drum. (Chorus)

 

And his coat was made of good roast beef, of good roast beef, of good roast beef,

And his coat was made of good roast beef,

And his name was Aiken Drum. (Chorus)

 

And his buttons were made of penny loaves, of penny loaves, of penny loaves,

And his buttons were made of penny loaves,

And his name was Aiken Drum. (Chorus)

Video Links

Here is Aikendrum, as recorded by Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl.

Here is Raffi’s version of Aiken Drum. Although the foods have been “adulterated,” this recording is useful for learning the song, as you hear Raffi and children singing without instruments.

The Scottish folk group The Singing Kettle performs the song for children and also includes updated foods such as cake. (The tune they use is slightly different than Raffi's.)

Our helpful intro post is sure to liven up your folk song adventures.

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