Rambler from Clare, The

DESCRIPTION: The rambler tells of beginning his career in the (County Tyrone), where (the women) first dubbed him the Rambler from Claire. Captured (by the English, he faces a stiff sentence) but escapes to America (and continues to pursue the women)
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: before 1867 (broadside, Bodleian Harding B 11(3218)); beginning 19C (Zimmerman-SongsOfIrishRebellion)
KEYWORDS: rambling emigration
FOUND IN: Britain(England(South)) US(NE) Ireland
REFERENCES (6 citations):
OLochlainn-MoreIrishStreetBallads 68, "The Rambler from Clare" (1 text, 1 tune)
Zimmerman-SongsOfIrishRebellion 20, "The Rambler from Clare" (1 text, 1 tune)
Moylan-TheAgeOfRevolution-1776-1815 46, "The Rambler from Clare" (1 text, 1 tune)
Warner-TraditionalAmericanFolkSongsFromAnneAndFrankWarnerColl 59, "The Rambler from Claire" (1 text, 1 tune)
Wolf-AmericanSongSheets, #1961, p. 132, "The Rambler from Clare" (1 reference)
DT, RMBLCLAR*

Roud #1531
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Harding B 11(3218), "The Rambler From Clare," J. Harkness (Preston), 1840-1866; also Harding B 11(3219), 2806 b.11(9), 2806 c.15(250), 2806 b.9(267)[some words illegible], Harding B 19(9)[some words illegible], Harding B 11(3217), Harding B 26(553), 2806 c.15(184), 2806 c.15(327), 2806 b.11(14), "The Rambler From Clare"
Murray, Mu23-y1:008, "The Rambler From Clair," unknown, 19C; also Mu23-y4:026, "Rambler From Clare"
NLScotland, RB.m.169(104), "The Rambler from Clair," Robert M'Intosh (address obliterated), c.1855

NOTES [55 words]: In some texts, the rambler is an Irish rebel, and is forced to flee Ireland to escape prosecution. In others, he is a deserter from the English army. In many versions, however, he is just a young man out to have as much fun with the ladies as possible.
And yes, the Warners spell it "Claire." Maybe that's the girl he was dating. - RBW
Last updated in version 3.5
File: Wa059

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