Lyr Req: The Ullswater Pack

Subject: Ullswater Pack - Lyrics anybody?
From: Tom May
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 02:53 PM

Hi,

Does anybody have the lyrics to the song called, I believe, "The Ullswater Pack", I tried a search but got nothing. The song refers to the tradition of hunting foxes on foot (in the lake district?) I heard it many years ago, the only bit I can remember was the opening "Did ever you hear how the Ullswater pack Once chased an old fox up Hellvellin.." And that's about the only coherent bit of it I can remember.

Any assistance will be gratefully received

Thanks

Tom

Subject: RE: Ullswater Pack - Lyrics anybody?
From: Bev Lawton
Date: 29 Apr 99 - 04:53 AM

Tom - it is very common to hunt foxes on foot in the UK Lake District - when you have walked up a few hills there you would appreciate the difficulty of using a horse!!. The correct spelling of Hellvellin is HELVELLYN which is a flat topped mountain, 949 metres, usually reached via a very narrow arete called Striding Edge or Swirrals Edge - both dodgy for man and beast!. Ullswater lake lies at the foot of this hill. As it happens I'm going mountain climbing/walking up there tomorrow!! I will ask some of my mates up there if they have heard of this song. Regards, Bev Lawton

Subject: RE: Ullswater Pack - Lyrics anybody?
From: Songbird
Date: 30 Apr 99 - 03:36 AM

I have a recording of the song by Roy Harris (I think) deep in my tape archive. It may take some days to retrieve and transcribe.

If nobody else has them to hand, then keep posting reminders.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE ULLSWATER PACK
From: Brian Peters
Date: 30 Apr 99 - 10:13 AM

Tom,

I used to sing this years ago, before deciding that I wasn't into foxhunting songs any more. It's certainly a grand tune, though my friends used to refer to it disparagingly as "Dogs and Mountains", since the bulk of the lyrics consist of lists of both. Aha! Just found it near the bottom of my "songs" box file - this was transcribed by me from the Roy Harris LP mentioned above and will be inaccurate in parts as it's difficult to understand all the proper names - an Ordinance Survey map of the Lake District might help (I did recognize Swirral and Striding though!). Incidentally, Roy Harris recently played his last gig, a matter of some sadness to those of us who value good singing and an understanding of the tradition.

Did ever you hear how the Ullswater pack
Once hunted a fox on Helvellyn
They ran him to Morril (?) and all the way back
And the route Reynard took is past telling
Bob Grisdale (?) first viewed him on Bleaberry Crag
Bob's "Holloa" resounded to Lido (??)
On hearing that summons the fox didn't flag
He thought it best not to stay idle, so....

(Chorus)
Pass the jug round, toasting each hound
They merit a bumper so pass the jug round
Ready are they, fit for the fray
Oh, get away, get away, get away

Young Countess and Careless were first in the chase
Going nearly a mile in a minute
For Matchless and Music too hot was the pace
But Comrade and Trixie were in it
By Deepdale and Dovedale to Riggingdale Straits
Perhaps you may think I'm a liar
Up Cashie (?) and Kitsie (?) the fox never waits
A stayer and also a flier

Chorus

Through Riggingdale Forest to Patterdale Kirk
Up Welter (?) and Swirral and Striding
Where Bowman was waiting with Fury and Turk
That fox could not creep into hiding
They killed in the open and oh, what a din
O'er mountain and valley resounded
Then hung with our prize, to the White Lion Inn
Where beer and good vittles abounded

Chorus

Subject: RE: Ullswater Pack - Lyrics anybody?
From: Bruce O.
Date: 30 Apr 99 - 10:25 AM

Compare with "Swarthfell Rocks", in a thread of March, 1998. Use Forum Search on 'Swarthfell'.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE ULLSWATER PACK
From: Songbird
Date: 04 May 99 - 03:22 AM

Here is my interpretation (also checking the map). Between the two you should get your song.

Did ever you hear how the Ullswater pack,
Once hunted a fox on Helvellyn,
They ran in to Mardale and all the way back,
And the route Reynard took was past telling,
Bob Grisdale first viewed him in Blaeberry Grag,
The halloo resounded to Rydal,
On hearing that summons, that fox did not flag,
And thought it best not to be idle.

CHORUS: So pass the jug round, toasting each hound,
They merit a bumper so pass the jug round.
Ready are they, fit for the fray,
Oh get away, get away, get away.

Young Countess and Careless were first in the chase,
Going nearly a mile in a minute.
For Matchless and Music, too hot was the pace,
But Comrade and Trixey were in it.
By Deepdale and Dovedale to Riggingdale Straights,
Perhaps you may think I'm a liar.
Up Cashey and Kitsey the fox never waits,
A stayer and also a flier.

Through Riggindell Forest to Pattingdale Kirk,
Up Welter and Swirrel and Striding,
Where Bowman was waiting with Fury and Turk,
That fox could not creep into hiding.
They killed it in old pen and oh what a din,
O’er mountain and valley resounded.
Then home with our prize to the White Lion Inn,
Where beer and good vittals abounded.

No need for romancing when all of us know,
That Melody, Countess and Cracker.
Will follow their game at the call of 'Old Joe',
While Mariner's naught but a slacker.
Whatever the weather come wind, rain or snow,
Our beauties so fleet and true-hearted.
Will follow wherever bold Reynard will go,
Nor falter when once they have started.

Subject: RE: Ullswater Pack - Lyrics anybody?
From: Tom May
Date: 06 May 99 - 02:20 PM

Thanks folks, Not being able to remember bits of this was driving me up the wall.

Tom