Frank got his information directly from the horses mouth. I don't know where he got his slightly different words. The version on the "Black Sheep" tape is the version that Robbie sings. He gets so many requests to sing this song that he has now taken to apologising before he sings it.

You too can get details from the horses mouth this weekend when the fair takes place once again. in the song it says "on the 23rd of June the day BEFORE the fair. the fair actually takes place on the 23rd except in those years on which the 23rd falls on a Sunday. in those years it was usually delayed until the following day as it was in the year that Michael Considine wrote the song. I have heard a rumour that they are breaking with tradition this year and holding the fair the day BEFORE the 23rd, that is this Saturday. I have no confirmation of this.

Last year was the first time in 350 years that the fair was cancelled. it was cancelled because of the foot and mouth scare but it is back with a bang this year.

George Henderson