... I want for to go to Widdicombe Fair
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney
Peter Day, Daniel Whiddon, Harry Hawk
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all
So goes the famous English folk song recalling the story of Uncle Tom Cobley and his many friends, all riding to Widecombe Fair on a faithful old grey mare.
Widecombe Fair, was first held about 150 years ago, and now attracts many thousands of visitors from all over the world. It takes place annually on the second Tuesday in September, so this year's Fair will be held on September 13th, 2005.
Widecombe is located within the heart of the Dartmoor National Park in Devon, UK, which was
recently voted the UK's top holiday destination. Preceding this years fair,
Friday 9th to Sunday 12 September, the
Dartmoor Tourist Association have organized a series of historically themed walks, talks and special events, dedicated to celebrating Dartmoor's rich archaeological, cultural, military and industrial heritage.
You can
hear the melody to Widdicombe Fair and the full lyrics are given below.
It's a catchy tune, so be warned that you will probably be singing it in an endless loop as you trek across the moor! Tom Pearse, Tom Pearse, lend me your grey mare
All along, down along, out along lee
For I want for to go to Widdicombe Fair
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Day, Daniel Whiddon, Harry Hawk
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all.
And when shall I see again my grey mare?
All along, down along, out along lee
By Friday soon, or Saturday noon
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Day, Daniel Whiddon, Harry Hawk
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all.
Then Friday came and Saturday noon
All along, down along, out along lee
But Tom Pearse's mare has not trotted home.
With Bill Brewer etc.
So Tom Pearse he got up to the top of the hill
All along, down along, out along lee
He see'd his old mare down a-making her will.
With Bill Brewer etc.
So Tom Pearce's old mare, she took sick and died
All along, down along, out along lee
And Tom, he sat down on a stone and he cried.
With Bill Brewer etc.
But this isn't the end of this shocking affair
All along, down along, out along lee
Nor though they be dead of the horrid career.
With Bill Brewer etc.
When the wind whistles cold on the moor of a night
All along, down along, out along lee
Tom Pearse's old mare doth appear ghastly white.
With Bill Brewer etc.
And all the long night be heard skirling and groans
All along, down along, out along lee
From Tom Pearse's old mare and a rattling of bones.
With Bill Brewer etc.
