Yorkshire Garland
 

The Sucking Pig

 
Performed by:
Will Noble
Recorded in:
Shepley
Recorded on:
21/01/2007
Recorded by:
Ray Padgett
Genre:
Humour
Keywords:
Churchmen,
Clothing,
Farm animals
 

Archival information

TYG:
45
Key:
Amix
Time Signature:
4/4 : 6/8
Roud id:
574
Laws id:
Master title:
The Sucking Pig
Places Cited:

Lyrics

1
Come ye that love a bit o’ fun an’ listen ’ere a while,
I’ll tell you of a droll affair ’twill give you cause to smile.
A parson dressed all in ’is best, cocked ’at and bushy wig,
’E went up to a farmer’s house to choose a sucking pig.
‘Good morning!’ said the parson. ‘Good morning, sir, to you!’
‘I’ve come to choose a sucking pig which you know it is my due;
Therefore I pray go fetch me one that is both plump and fine,
For I ’ave asked a friend or two along with me to dine.’

2
So in the sty the farmer goes among the pigs so small,
An’ ’e chooses for the parson the least among them all.
When the parson saw the same how ’e did rant and roar;
’E stamped ’is foot and ’e shook ’is wig and ’e almost cursed and swore.
‘Well then, sir,’ said the farmer, ‘since my offer you refuse,
I pray you go into the sty, there you may pick and choose.’
In the sty the parson ventured without any more ado;
The old sow ran with open mouth an’ she at the parson flew.

3
Well the first she caught ’im by the coat and took off both the skirts;
She ran ’er ’ead between ’is legs and rolled ’im in the dirt.
The parson cursed the very hour ’e’d ventured for the pig;
You’d ’a laughed to see the little-uns, ’ow they shook ’is ’at and wig.
Well the next she caught ’im by the breeches, ’e so loud did cry;
‘Oh, free me from this curse`d pig or I shall surely die!’
The little pigs ’is waistcoat tore, ’is stockings and ’is shoes;
The farmer said, ‘You’re welcome, I hope you’ll pick and choose.’

4
Well at length ’e let the parson out all in a handsome trim;
The sow and pigs so neatly in the dirt had rolle`d him.
His coat was to a spencer turned, ’is brogues were ripped in tines,
And beside ’is backside was all bare and ’is shirt ’ung out be’ind.
’E’d lost ’is stockings and ’is shoes which grieve`d ’im full sore,
Beside ’is ’at and waistcoat they were all to pieces tore.
Then off the parson scampered ’ome as fast as ’e could run;
The farmer almost split ’is sides with laughing at the fun.

5
The parson’s wife stood at the door awaitin’ ’is return,
But when she saw ’is awful plight she into the house did run.
‘My dear, what is the matter and where have you been?’ she said.
‘Get out, you slut,’ the parson cried, ‘for I am almost dead!
Go fetch me down a suit of clothes, go fetch ’em down I pray,
And bring me my old greasy wig without any more delay;
And for the usage I’ve received all in that curse`d sty
I nee’r shall relish sucking pig until the day I die.’
To me foller-da-lay, foller-da-lay, foller-da-lero-lay,
Foller-da-lay, foller-da-lay, foller-da-lero-lay.