WESTFORD -- The band is The Jolly Rogues. Their songs are 18th- and 19th-century tavern and drinking tunes, romantic ballads, sea shanties, children's ditties and songs of revolt from America and the British Isles.

So then it must follow that they would have a huge fan base in modern-day China, correct? Well, it may sound surprising, but the Merrimack Valley-based Rogues were a big hit when they played their repertoire for a packed audience at a pop music festival called "Meet in Beijing" on May Day last year.

"We were the only U.S. group. We shared the stage with a Russian rock band and a gospel dance ensemble from the Bahamas," guitar player/vocalist Al Hicks recalled recently, back home in Westford.

They're playing closer to home tonight at the Westford Museum.

While in China, The Jolly Rogues also played gigs at Shanghai University and at Durty Nellies Pub -- "the one and only Irish pub in Beijing," according to Hicks.

Hicks' wife, Marjorie, is on vocals, the spoons and the limberjack (a little

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dancing man that produces a percussion sound, a bit like clog dancing). Also featured are band manager Jim Murray of Wilmington on vocals and guitar, Paul Harty of Reading on fiddle, guitar, mandolin and banjo, Michael Ryan of Concord on Native American and Irish hand-held drums, colonial snare drum and vocals, and North Shore resident Herb "Smooth" Broadbent on fiddle, guitar, banjo, flute and concertina.

Al and Marjorie Hicks were childhood sweethearts who sang together in the chorus at Lynnfield High School. They met Jim Murray several years ago through their work at Minuteman National Historic Park. Marjorie Hicks is a park ranger there and that's where she met Jim Murray's wife, Joyce, who makes costumes for park employees.

"When you're a park ranger, typically your family and friends end up being volunteers," says Al Hicks, 55, a recently retired EPA administrator.

Through Murray, Hicks was reintroduced to Ryan, assistant dean of students at Boston College. The two had met back in the '70s on the Somerville coffeehouse circuit when Hicks was a student at Tufts University.

The Rogues, who've been interviewed by the BBC on previous European tours, will play gigs in Germany, England and the Netherlands this spring. Their most recent CD, Road to Boston, was released in November, and they have two other releases, Captain Billy's Privateers and 14 Miles to Boston.

Tonight's concert in Westford will feature "a bunch of 18th and 19th century material," Hicks says. It's geared to families -- the Rogues won't be performing any really bawdy bar ballads -- and will include silly children's songs like "The Fox" from the band's repertoire.

Sea shanties like "Roll the Chariots Along" and "Rolling Home" and other work songs boat crews hummed while completing their tasks are among the band's favorites to perform.

"Most are done to a particular rhythm to get a particular job done, like hanging up an anchor or moving cargo," Hicks said.

Westford Museum, 2-4 Boston Road, Westford, 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.westford.com/museum or www.JollyRogues.com.