The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #77877   Message #1393531
Posted By: Barbara
30-Jan-05 - 03:56 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Tarry Woo' / Tarry Wool
Subject: Lyr Add: MORE words for Tarry Wool
We have one set in DT here: Tarry Wool
I learned the song about 25 years ago from Helen Kivnick, and she sang these words (though she thought perhaps she had the verse order wrong, and had forgotten one):

TARRY WOO'


Tarry woo, and Tarry woo,
Tarry woo is ill to spin,
Card it well, oh card it well,
Card it well e're ye begin:

When you have carded, wove* and spun;
Then your work is neary done.
When you woven, pressed & cleaned
You will have clothing for a Queen.

2.Poor, harmless creatures without blame
Clothe the back & cram the wame,
Keep us warm & hearty, too,
Wields(?) on us our Tarry woo.

3.A shepherd's, he has a happy life
Far from care and free from strife
Whilst the gimmers bleat & bay
And the lambkins skip and play

4.Who'd be a King, can any tell
When a shepherd lives so well
Lives so well & pays his due
With honest work & Tarry woo.

5.Here's to our blameless, harmless sheep
That o'er the hills and valleys creep
Whilst the gimmers bleat and bay
And the lambkins skip and play

6. Up you shepherds dance & skip
O'er the hills & valleys trip.
Singing the praise of Tarry woo
And the flock that bears it, too.

*I I think this word should be 'rolled' as in 'to make a rolag'.

In my next post I will put up another version of the words that I found online. I would be curious to know what Helen's source is, as well.
Blessings,
Barbara