We'd been here now for fourteen days, it's time as we were gone,
The muskras and the lawyers say we should be moving on,
So pen the chickens, tie the goat, and bridle up the grai,
There's work to do and songs to sing, so lets be on our way.

CHORUS
With me to ra laddy, wack fa laddy, too ra loo ra lay,
With me to ra laddy, wack fa laddy, too ra loo ra lay.

Well I've built me a wagon up from scratch and kept it on the road,
I've raised my children proud and strong to help me bear the load,
I've watched the seasons come and go for nigh on thirty years,
I've fought to earn my living and I've never shed a tear.

CHORUS

Well I've passed my time in dealing scrap, I've fettled up the grai,
Made buffets, baskets, wooden flowers the Gorgios loved to buy,
With a pony's whip and a walking stick made from the holly tree,
It's Mic Darling makes the clothes pegs they're the best you'll ever see.

CHORUS

Well I've passed the winter locked in snow, I've battled with the mire,
I've found the food as best I could and cooked it on the fire,
Colder than the winter, black as any crow,
Is the scorn and hate of the magistrate who'll force us on the road.

CHORUS

They send JCBs and council thugs to try and make us go,
Their summons and evictions keep us moving to and fro,
But whether we're here or Whitworth fair or camping on the moon,
We'll still be here on doomsday and stay 'til afternoon.

CHORUS

But whether we're here or Whitworth fair or camping on the moon,
We'll still be here on doomsday and stay 'til afternoon.

CHORUS

Muskra- Policeman

Buffet- wooden Stool

Fettle up -shoe the horse

Mic Darling- Traveller and singer

Whitworth fair- Horse fair revived by the late Walter Lloyd near Bacup, but harassed out of existence by Police and the local council.

The moon- Bacup heights, traditional camping ground, but full of large holes dug for coal slag. Christened the moon, because they look like craters.

JCB's large mechanical diggers, used to dig ditches and lift large stones to block off Traveller, and Gypsy camping grounds.

The best you'll ever see- There was a friendly rivalry between Travellers and Gypsies to see who could make the best clothes pegs, in traditional way with a peg knife and stripped willow. Mic Darling was the best at this (if nothing else).

The tune used is Traditional, (When I was a little boy)

This song was written for a Channel four programme about an eviction from Whitworth, but never used. The council and the police did their best to make life hell for all concerned, after it's broadcast.

nickdow67@gmail.com