Skewball

from Gathering Primroses by Ian Martyn

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According to the Mainly Norfolk website, this song is originally from Ireland. I first heard this song on Steeleye Span's third album, Ten Man Mop or Mr. Reservoir Butler Rides Again. Martin Carthy also sings this song on Sweet Wivelsfield where it is titled Skewbald. Andy Irvine and Paul Brady also play a version of this song with a different melody and different lyrics called "The Plains of Kildare" in which some of the names of characters have changed.

More info: mainlynorfolk.info/lloyd/songs/skewball.html

lyrics

You gallant sportsmen all, come listen to my story
It's of the bold Skewball, that noble racing pony
Arthur Marvel was the man that brought bold Skewball over
He's the diamond of the land and he rolls about in clover

The horses were bought out with saddle, whip, and bridle
And the gentlemen did shout when they saw the noble riders
And some did shout hooray, the air was thick with curses
And on the grey Griselda the sportsmen laid their purses

The trumpet it did sound, they shot off like an arrow,
They scarcely touched the ground for the going it was narrow.
Then Griselda passed him by and the gentlemen did holler,
“The grey will win the day and Skewball he will follow.”

Then halfway round the course up spoke the noble rider
“I fear we must fall back for she's going like a tiger.
Up spoke the noble horse, “Ride on, my noble master,
For we're half way round the course and now we'll see who's faster.”

And when they did discourse, bold Skewball flew like lightning
They chased around the course and the grey mare she was taken
“Ride on my noble lord, for the good two hundred guineas.
The saddle shall be of gold when we pick up our winnings.”

Past the winning post, bold Skewball proved quite handy
And horse and rider both ordered sherry wine and brandy
And then they drank a health unto Miss Griselda
And all that lost their money on the sporting plains of Kildare

credits

from Gathering Primroses, released July 3, 2020

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Ian Martyn Santa Barbara, California

Video game soundtracks. Acoustic trad folk. Original and traditional songs and tunes.

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