The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #15756   Message #3442292
Posted By: doc.tom
26-Nov-12 - 05:25 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Fathom the Bowl
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Fathom the Bowl - minor changes
Interesting! In about 1880 the line was usng on Exmoor as 'She may scold, she may grumble, till she's black as a crow.' (Lock mss.) Bit too early for racists sensibilities to have changed it from the broadside, so perhaps a mishearing by the singer! Either way, it's an escape possibility from modern considerations although I don't see coal as racist.
TomB