Lyr Req: At a Country Fair

Subject: Lyr Req: At a Country Fair
From: Newport Boy
Date: 10 May 12 - 12:43 PM

A bit of a stab in the dark, but Mudcat can do it if anyone can.

I'm reading an account of a walk from John O'Groats to Land's End in 1871, and came across this quote:

Since those "good old times" the character of these country fairs has changed entirely, and we no longer sing the old ballad:

Oh yes, I own 'tis my delight
To see the laughter and the fright
In such a motley, merry sight
As at a country fair.

Boys on mamma's treacle fed,
On spicy cakes and gingerbread.
On everybody's toes they tread
All at a country fair.

Anyone recognise the "old ballad"?

Phil

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: At a Country Fair
From: Owen Woodson
Date: 10 May 12 - 01:15 PM

Can't help you I'm afraid. But what is the book the quote comes from?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: At a Country Fair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 10 May 12 - 01:26 PM

Click here

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: At a Country Fair
From: Newport Boy
Date: 10 May 12 - 05:09 PM

Thanks, Martin - my old friend Alfred Williams!

Owen - the book is FROM JOHN O'GROATS TO LAND'S END by Robert Naylor & John Naylor. It's in the Gutenberg list. I downloaded it to try out Calibre and my new Sony eBook Reader. I'm now 200 pages in - less than 1/3. It's well written (in 1870s style) and describes in detail a 9-week walk - no ferries or other transport permitted.

Phil

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: At a Country Fair
From: GUEST,999
Date: 10 May 12 - 05:24 PM

Check p 16 here, from 1855

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: At a Country Fair
From: Newport Boy
Date: 11 May 12 - 03:39 AM

I thought it had the feel of a music hall song.

Phil

Subject: Lyr Add: THE HUMOURS OF A COUNTRY FAIR
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 May 12 - 08:26 AM

From The Melodist, and Mirthful Olio: An Elegant Collection of the Most Popular Recitations, Glees, Duets, &c. &c., Vol. 4 (London: H. Arliss, 1829), page 1:


THE HUMOURS OF A COUNTRY FAIR.
Sung by Mr. Mathews, at the Adelphi.

Yes, I own 'tis my delight,
To see the laughter and the fright,
In such a motley merry sight,
    As a Country Fair.
Full of riot, fun, and noise,
Little girls, and ragged boys,
The very flower of rural joys,
    Is fun beyond compare.
Some are playing single-stick,
Boys in roundabouts so thick,
Maidens swinging till they're sick,
    All at a Country Fair.
Wooden toys, and lollipops,
Ribbons, lace, and shilling hops,
Peg, and whip, and humming tops,
    At a Country Fair.

Those in fairs who take delight
In shows, and seeing every sight,
Dancing, singing and a fight,
    At a Country Fair:
Boys by mamma's treacle fed,
With cakes and spicy gingerbread,
On every body's toes they tread,
    All at a Country Fair.
Monkeys mounting camels' backs,
For prizes three men jump in sacks,
And others drinking quarts of max,
    And think that that's your sort.
Corks are drawing, glasses jingle,
Trumpets, drums, together mingle,
Till your heads completely tingle,
    Which quite completes the sport.