The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #174049   Message #4221503
Posted By: Joe Offer
23-Apr-25 - 03:17 PM
Thread Name: Lyr ADD: Lancashire Liar (from Harry Boardman)
Subject: ADD: Lancashire Liar (from Harry Boardman)
In another thread, somebody asked for lyrics to the song "The Lancashire Liar," supposedly recorded by Harry Boardman on the Deep Lancashire collection (but I can't find it on my CD but I think there are at least two Deep Lancashire CDs).

Here's a recording: https://www.facebook.com/JackRutterMusic/videos/517084919060168/

https://soundcloud.com/jackrutter/the-lancashire-liar-1

But hey, I found the song on a post by Good Old Barry Finn:

Thread #18699   Message #187212
Posted By: Barry Finn
29-Feb-00 - 11:18 PM
Thread Name: Lyr/Chords Req: Lancashire folk songs
Subject: Lyr Add: THE MANCHESTER LIAR^^

Hi Harpgirl, my pleasure, the song that is, I'd love to join a Hearme sing but I'm so bad at trying to make these teck NO boxes work I need a 3 yr old to take my hand so I don't trip over my own feet.

Harry Boardman mentions that the similarity to the Darby Ram obvious but says that this version seems of later vintage.

THE MANCHESTER LIAR

In Manchester I saw a crow leave London in a crack, sir
Flew as far as Saddleworth wi' Ashton on it's back, sir
Indeed, Sir, it's true, sir, I've never been given to lie & if you go to Lancashire you'll see the same as I

I saw a goose from Staleybridge, that coal from Hyde had taken
It stole a bag from Liverpool filled with Irish bacon

In Warrington I saw a pig kill near 200 people
In Lancaster I saw a dog dance on Leeds church steeple

In Huddersfield I met a bull selling Eccles cakes, sir
In Marsden I met a dead horse going to Oldham wakes, sir

In Delph I met a flock of sheep had been to rob a York church, sir
They brought a hen from Tadcaster in a show to learn to work, sir

At Hurst I saw a peck of birds take Leigh church & shake it
And drive a horse through Dukinfield with eggs to Rochda' market

In Haslingden I saw a mouse wheel muck through Royton town, sir
In Mossley I met a cat wearing a Knaresboro gown, sir

In Bacup I saw a monkey in Burnley teaching school, sir
In Blackburn it made Wangby cheese, in Colne it chased a fool, sir

At Tyldesley Bank I saw a lamb at Stockport cry a sale, sir
In Chowbent I saw a baboon in Wigan brewing ale, sir

At Pendleton I met a dog driving sheep to Sutton
At Middleton I saw a horse tried for stealing mutton

At Failsworth I saw a turkey rob Preswich chruch all over
At Hull I saw a rabbit chase a hound at Dover

At Radcliff I saw a crow kill near 300 witches
At Bury I saw a tomcat at Bolton selling matches

At Chorley I saw 2 bullocks in Preston selling oil, sir
At Bath I saw a pigeon take a giant to Carlisle, sir

This is an intriguing song. Can anybody tell us more about it?