Yorkshire Garland
 

The Old Tup

 
Performed by:
Howard Bullock
Recorded in:
Barnburgh
Recorded on:
14/04/1977
Recorded by:
Ruairidh Greig
Genre:
Ritual
Keywords:
Christmas,
Farm animals
 

Archival information

TYG:
59
Key:
D
Time Signature:
6/8
Roud id:
126
Laws id:
Master title:
The Derby Ram
Places Cited:
Derby

Lyrics

1
As I was going to Derby upon the market day,
I met the finest tup, sir, that ever was fed on hay.

Chorus
Bay-lee, bay-lee, reddy fol-oo-ra-lay.

2
This tup was fat behind, sir, this tup was fat before,
This tup stood eleven yards wide, sir, and I think he stood no more.

3
The horns that grew on his head, sir, they grew so mighty high,
That every time he nodded his head he nodded against the sky.

4
The very first tooth he had in his head would make a good huntsman’s horn,
The very next tooth to that, sir, would hold up a bushel of corn.

5
The wool that grew on his back, sir, it grew so mighty high,
That eagles built their nests, sir, and I heard the young ones cry.

6
The wool that grew on his belly, sir, it draggled along the ground,
That every foot that he put down, it covered an acre of ground.

7
The wool that grew on his tail, sir, it grew so long and soft,
They sent it down to Derby and it made six yards of cloth.

8
The butcher that killed this tup, sir, in danger of his life,
He called unto his servant to reach him a longer knife.

9
The blood that ran from this tup, sir, it run doon Derby Moor,
And turned the biggest watermill that’s ever been seen before.

10
And all the young lads in Derby came begging for his eyes,
To kick up and down old Derby’s streets for they were football size.

11
And all the young lasses in Derby came begging for his ears,
To make a pair of panniers to hawk apples and pears.

12
And all the old women in Derby came begging for his bones,
To suck the marrow out o’ them to nourish their old bones.

13
And now me song is ended and I cannot sing no more,
So please will you give me a Christmas box and let me on me way.

Archival information

TYG:
59
Key:
D
Time Signature:
6/8
Roud id:
126
Laws id:
Master title:
The Derby Ram
Places Cited:
Derby