Two Crows transcription.

Subject: Two Crows transcription.
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 14 Aug 24 - 03:56 PM

I am trying to transcribe a Sheffield recording of The Two Crows. It's a great rendition by Tal Clark with a mass chorus in a pub, recorded in 1970. It is quite different to other versions from the same area.

In this version the 3rd verse referring to the crows:
They drew unto a distant cot
And there they saw a dying ? It sounds something like 'fox/oss/sot?
In the next stanza
They pecked off his plimsolls one by one. 'plimsolls? The remainder of the stanzas about the farmer coming up with his gun and shooting them is pretty standard and even occurs in the American original Minstrel song c1863.

The song is followed by the burlesque sermon/parable of 'Lot's Wife'. Unfortunately the tape runs out before the sermon is finished. The song is delivered in the 'lining out' style, a mock church service.

Any suggestions or further knowledge very welcome.

Subject: RE: Two Crows transcription.
From: Reinhard
Date: 14 Aug 24 - 09:04 PM

According to Wikipedia, plimsolls are light sports shoes with a canvas upper and flat rubber sole.

Subject: RE: Two Crows transcription.
From: Reinhard
Date: 15 Aug 24 - 07:21 AM

Without knowing the context, at least 'dying sot' rhymes with 'distant cot'.   Merriam-Webster defines 'sot' as a habitual drunkard. Would that fit with your lyrics?

Subject: RE: Two Crows transcription.
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 15 Aug 24 - 10:16 AM

Got that verse now from Ruairidh who recorded it.
It's 'copse' and 'fox' but the 'plimsolls' is still a mystery.

Subject: RE: Two Crows transcription.
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 17 Aug 24 - 05:53 AM

plimsolls?
What comes in pairs?
Ears, eyes, my money is on a local polite reference to his crown jewels.
But I could be talking a load of balls!!

Subject: RE: Two Crows transcription.
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 18 Aug 24 - 01:43 PM

Can't help with the plimsolls, though other versions mention the pecking out of eyes. As for the burlesque sermon/parable that followed, this sounds very much like something Mike Harding did:

Sodom and Gomorrah

LFF