Ballad of Little Jan (1890)
Whilst the games went on, or between the intervals, songs were sung.
“I’ll sing’y one,” said Olver, “was a favourite, and were sung to encourage the youngsters.”
1. “I sing of champions bold,
That wrestled–not for gold;
And all the cry
Was ‘Will Trefry,’
That he would win the day.
So Will Trefry, huzzah!
The ladies clap their hands and cry,
‘Trefry! Trefry! huzzah!’
2. Then up sprang little Jan,
A lad scarce grown a man.
He said, ‘Trefry,
I wot I’ll try
A hitch with you this day.’
So little Jan, huzzah!
The ladies clap their hands and cry,
‘O little Jan, huzzah!’
3. He stript him to the waist,
He boldly Trefry faced;
‘I’ll let him know
That I can throw
As well as he to-day.’
So little Jan, huzzah!
And some said so; but others,’No,
Trefry! Trefry! huzzah!’
4. They wrestled on the ground,
His match Trefry had found;
And back he bore
In struggle sore,
And felt his force give way.
So little Jan, huzzah!
So some did say; but others, ‘Nay,
Trefry! Trefry! huzzah!’
5. Then with a desperate toss,
Will showed the flying hoss,[8]
And little Jan
Fell on the tan,
And never more he spake.
O! little Jan, alack!
The ladies say, ‘Oh, woe’s the day!
O! little Jan, alack!’
6. Now little Jan, I ween,
That day had married been;
Had he not died,
A gentle bride
That day he home had led.
The ladies sigh–the ladies cry,
‘O! little Jan is dead.'”
Reprinted in Baring-Gould, S. (1890). Old Country Life, London: Methuen and Co. Available online, via Project Gutenberg (mirrored by University of Waterloo).