<P> The words have changed over the years, as can be seen in the versions below . The only consistent element in early versions is the title line and the tune . D'Urfey's and Gay's versions both refer to lovers, while Farquhar's version refers to fleeing overseas to join the army . The tune was provided with another set of lyrics for the British Sharpe television series of the 1990s, based on Farquhar's version . This version was also recorded by John Tams who played Dan Hagman in the series . </P> <P> The nursery rhyme "Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son" mentions a piper who knows only one tune, this one . Early versions of this, known as "The distracted Jockey's Lamentations", may have been written (but not included) in Thomas D'Urfey's play The Campaigners (1698): </P> <Dl> <Dd> Tommy was a Piper's Son, </Dd> <Dd> And fell in love when he was young; </Dd> <Dd> But all the Tunes that he could play, </Dd> <Dd> Was, o'er the Hills, and far away . </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> Tommy was a Piper's Son, </Dd>

Song over the hills and far away lyrics