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GUEST,Thomas Hine Lyr Req: Harry Trewin (6) Lyr Req: Harry Trewin 10 Jan 11


Hello - I am doing some research for a local book about Chagford, Dartmoor and came across this rhyme from Chagford -

Old Harry Trewin
Had no brutches to wear,
So he stawl a ram's skin
Vur to make en a pair ;
Wi the woolly zide out
And the fleshy zide in,
They sticked pretty tight
To old Harry Trewin.

and this longer version from Moretonhampstead found in the Transactions of the Devonshire association-

Harry Trewin was a Devon man born.
His head was bald and his chin was shorn.
He wear'd a hat made a' rabbit's skin,
Wi' the skinny side out and the woolly side in.
        Brew, screw, rivet the tin
        O, a rare old chap was Harry Trewin

Harry Trewin he'd no burches to wear,
Zo he staul'd a ram's skin vor to make a new pair,
The sheeny zide out and the whoolly side in
"Tis a fine pair o' burches" said Harry Trewin.
        Brew, screw, rivet the tin
        O, a rare old chap was Harry Trewin

Harry Trewin he'd no butes to putt on,
But two calves hide wi' the hair all gone.
They was split to the zide and the water rinn'd in,
"'tis wet to my veet," said Harry Trewin.
        Brew, screw, rivet the tin
        O, a rare old chap was Harry Trewin

Harry Trewin he'd no watch to putt on,
Zo he scoop'd out a turmet and made hiszel one.
He catch'd a cricket and putt'n within,
"'tis a rare old ticker," said Harry Trewin
        Brew, screw, rivet the tin
        O, a rare old chap was Harry Trewin

Harry Trewin he's a-huntin' gone,
A zaddle o' sai-urchins' skins he putt one.
The sai-urchins' prickles was sharp as a pin,
"I've a-got a zore sait," said Harry Trewin.
        Brew, screw, rivet the tin
        O, a rare old chap was Harry Trewin

Harry Trewin he's a-huntin' gone,
A bridle o' mouze-tails he put on.
The bridle brauk'd and the 'oss rinn'd away,
"'Tis a darn'd rotten bridle," said Harry to-day
        Brew, screw, rivet the tin
        O, a rare old chap was Harry Trewin

Th' old Harry's darter her zot 'pon the stairs,
"Oh, Father!" her said, "I be wonderful fair."
The stairs they brawk'd, and the maid vall'd in,
"You'm fair enough now," said Harry Trewin.
        Brew, screw, rivet the tin
        O, a rare old chap was Harry Trewin

Harry Trewin, his wive and her mauther,
They all vall'd into the vire together.
"O dear!" said the top one, "I've got a hot skin,"
"'tis hotter down under," said Harry Trewin
        Brew, screw, rivet the tin
        O, a rare old chap was Harry Trewin


Does anyone know anything about it? (Music, alternative versions, who Harry Trewin was, similar songs etc.)

The Chagford version dates to about 1900 and the Moreton version to 1934.

Thanks!


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