Hi Harpgirl, my pleasure, the song that is, I'd love to join a Hearme sing but I'm so bad at trying to make these teck NO boxes work I need a 3 yr old to take my hand so I don't trip over my own feet.
Harry Boardman mentions that the similarity to the Darby Ram obvious but says that this version seems of later vintage.
THE MANCHESTER LIAR
In Manchester I saw a crow leave London in a crack, sir
Flew as far as Saddleworth wi' Ashton on it's back, sir
Indeed, Sir, it's true, sir, I've never been given to lie & if you go to Lancashire you'll see the same as I
I saw a goose from Staleybridge, that coal from Hyde had taken
It stole a bag from Liverpool filled with Irish bacon
In Warrington I saw a pig kill near 200 people
In Lancaster I saw a dog dance on Leeds church steeple
In Huddersfield I met a bull selling Eccles cakes, sir
In Marsden I met a dead horse going to Oldham wakes, sir
In Delph I met a flock of sheep had been to rob a York church, sir
They brought a hen from Tadcaster in a show to learn to work, sir
At Hurst I saw a peck of birds take Leigh church & shake it
And drive a horse through Dukinfield with eggs to Rochda' market
In Haslingden I saw a mouse wheel muck through Royton town, sir
In Mossley I met a cat wearing a Knaresboro gown, sir
In Bacup I saw a monkey in Burnley teaching school, sir
In Blackburn it made Wangby cheese, in Colne it chased a fool, sir
At Tyldesley Bank I saw a lamb at Stockport cry a sale, sir
In Chowbent I saw a baboon in Wigan brewing ale, sir
At Pendleton I met a dog driving sheep to Sutton
At Middleton I saw a horse tried for stealing mutton
At Failsworth I saw a turkey rob Preswich chruch all over
At Hull I saw a rabbit chase a hound at Dover
At Radcliff I saw a crow kill near 300 witches
At Bury I saw a tomcat at Bolton selling matches
At Chorley I saw 2 bullocks in Preston selling oil, sir
At Bath I saw a pigeon take a giant to Carlisle, sir
This is an intriguing song. Can anybody tell us more about it?
sj