Depending on the programs purpose and musical selection,The Rogues appear attired in either 18th or 19th Century
clothng of the two periods,adding to the color
Old John Webb
Possibly tainted history but based on some historic fact and a 1730s broadside, this political, social ballad of Salem, MA definitely has its origins in several 16th/17th C. Scottish boarder songs of criminals/jail breaks (a€œArchie o Cawfielda€, a€œBold Dickiea€, a€œJock o the Sidea€). a€œArchiea€ arrived in Massachusetts in the early 1700s. John Webb was a Salem mint master at odds with England over old tenor/bill tenor (currency) and new currency. a€œBill Tenora€ is a recent name addition and a€œbilliea€ was a Scottish usage for comrade. Thus most likely, Billy breaking things is either a friend or a brother of John helping his leave jail. Of note, a Boston newspaper reported that Webb was released for insufficient evidence. Still the song is relevant to the currency crisis, romantic and a link to other a€œoutlaw types.a€
