I believe "The Chezzetcook Song" is on the Diane Oxner record (my own books and records and old hats are all in storage five thousand miles away). I have the full lyrics somewhere in storage on a clipping I took out of the Chronicle-Herald sometime in the '70s or early '80s ... I don't think it's in any of the Helen Creighton print publications, and I'm sure it's not on either of the Folkways records from her collection ... I don't know how accessible those recordings in the archives are; certainly Clary Croft would be a good man to contact about it, and/or the Helen Creighton Society. Where's George Seto when you need him? He's involved with the HCS.

Anyway, beyond those opening lines, the song consists of several verses that list all the various and sundry goods Bellefontaine offered for sale.

"I always understood that "black and tan" referred to a specific "fair isle"-type knitting pattern that was unique to Chezzetcook. "

So far I'd say this explanation makes the most sense - which, of course, isn't saying much! - because it at least relates to the knitting of "the sock and mitten". Wait a minute now - why "husky" black and tan, if we're talking about a knitting pattern? Unless that indicates a peculiar bulk to the resulting product ... Okay, I don't know if we're any further ahead ...