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Modernisation of the ‘August Tale’: An Englishman named Burrel, born in Cornwall, served as a guard to King Henry VIII. In his bold youth, he was known for great strength— so much so that the King himself wanted to test him. But Burrel held back out of respect. He wouldn’t throw or hurt the King […]
Britannia’s Pastorals is a long, unfinished pastoral poem written by William Browne of Tavistock(c. 1591–1643), with the first book published in 1613 and the second in 1616. While the main work was released around these dates, Browne was actively contributing to other pastoral projects, including The Shepherd’s Pipe (1614), during this period. In the 5th […]
The origin and author of these lyrics (also described as a ballad) are unknown. The song was printed in a broadside newspaper in December 1826. Tripp states that it was sung to the tune of The Night I Married Susy, or The Coronation. When Polkinghorne did first agree, And Cann the day did fix, Sir, […]
This satirical epitaph commemorates Abraham Cann, a celebrated wrestler from Devon, through the conceit of his ultimate defeat by Death personified. Originally published in the Weekly Dispatch, the poem employs mock-heroic conventions to honour Cann’s prowess whilst acknowledging mortality’s inevitability. The verse chronicles Cann’s wrestling dominance, noting his victories over formidable opponents including “giant Jordan,” […]
A TALE — (PENWARNE.) A Cornish Miner, high in wrestling fame. And Thomas Triggyniggy was his name: To London city Tom would fain be packing; In hardy enterprise no lad was bolder; He threw his trusty staff across his shoulder. And hung his wardrobe on it in a nackin.* The journey was a long […]
This song or poem was documented by Hughes in 1859. It is believed to predate this recording. THE ZONG OF THE ZUMMERZETSHIRE OWLD GEAMSTER. I. “Cham* a Zummerzetshire mun Coom here to hev a bit o’vun. Oo’lt+ try a bout? I be’ant aveard Ov any man or mother’s zun. II. “Cham a geamster owld and […]
Sixty years ago this curious West-country ditty was sung not only from the Tamar to the Land’s End, but from Barnstaple Bay to the Rame Head. It describes, in rough and ready rhyme, the experiences of a country yokel who was carried off by a press-gang from a wrestling match on Maker Heights, near Plymouth. […]
“As he went, by a bridge was a wrastling, And there taryed was he, And there was all the best yemen Of all the West Countrey. A full fayre game was set up ; A white bull, up ypyght ; A great courser with sadle and brydle With gold burnished full bryght. A payre […]
The men of dSurrey, Cheeky Blew and gold, (Which for braue Warren their first Earle they wore, In many a Field that honour’d was of olde:) And Hamshere next in the same Colours bore, Three Lions Passant, th’ Armes of Beuis bould, Who through the World so famous was of yore; A siluere Tower, Dorsets Red […]
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 […]