A farmer he goes to the Martinmas Fair To see the farm workers who all gather there. Lad, ista for hiring? Hasta got a strong arm? Says the lad, I can deea onny thing on a farm.
Chorus; Well you may be a farmer or follow the plough But in this rough world, we must rub along now. Wherever you go and whatever you do, In all of your dealings be honest and true.
Well thoo looks a good lad. Wheer were yer last year? Says the lad, Wi’ t'feller as stands over theer. Now if he will put in a good word for thee, Then I’ll hire thee this year, tha can come wham with me.
Then the lad he goes over to ask for a good word. Nay, says his old master, Lad, have yer not heard? Yer deean’t want to go wi' him to make yer new home. He’ll hunger thee and work thee reet dahn to the bone.
So the lad he goes back to the farmer again. Have yer got a good word, lad? the farmer says then. Nay, says the lad, I've not got one for me, But he’s told me to never go workin' for thee!
For the tune - The Man in the Moon - see the Full English performance on YouTube. Adapted from a story published in The Sound of History by Roy Palmer; told by Jack Beeforth of Wragby Farm near Whitby to Dave Hillery in 1974. As Roy Palmer wrote, hiring was a very speculative and hazardous enterprise for both parties. Henry Peacock 2020