We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Merry Tom

from Rose of the Shires by Lew Bear

/

about

A song I wrote (a few years ago now) about Merry Tom, a horse owned by "Red" Earl John Spencer of the Spencer Estate.
The ending is 100% true - Earl John did try to jump a flooded stretch of a tributary of the River Nene and the horse died. He then put up a tribute to the horse and, shortly after, someone broke in and added "ridden to death by careless Red Earl John" underneath it.
I was left wondering who would care enough about a horse to risk doing that? And decided upon this.

lyrics

Young Tom the stable hand, loved the horses so
He’d always wanted one of his own
But times were hard in the Red Earls employ
From a farming family he was a poor boy

Then one springtime fell a weakling colt
Young Tom rushed to him like a lightning bolt
From that moment the boy loved the beast
But any lame horse became a hounds feast
Tom went to Red Earl, loudly he did beg
“Please sir don’t kill this horse due to it's poorly leg”
Red Earl said “if you can afford the feed, I’ll let you keep this poorly steed”
So Tom thanked Red Earl and went on his way
He could feed him on his family’s hay
And in time, the young colt he grew
His leg was healed and he stood proud and true

Young Tom said a name you shall need
One befitting such a noble steed
His father said he makes you happy
I suggest, the name of Merry
So Tom rode on proud Merry
Who proved himself the fastest of his breed
And in time became the Red Earls envy
Who commanded I’ll have back my steed

Young Tom wept but he gave up Merry
He knew Red Earl could harm his family
Red Earl took the horse who grew yet more strong
Said “I’ll name you for the boy – you shall be Merry Tom”

Merry Tom was ridden in the hunt
Wherever he went he went at the front
Red Earl rode him long and jumped him high
He said this horse could jump into the sky
Then one Autumn in came the heavy rains
The Nene was swollen and flooded in the drains
Red Earl thought he’d try a jump at the brook
Merry Tom broke his neck in the current he was took

Red Earl loved the horse of the jump he did repent
And so built a fitting monument
On it he wrote a simple piece
But young Tom had written underneath
Here lies the body of Merry Tom
Ridden to death by careless Red Earl John

credits

from Rose of the Shires, released February 25, 2022
Lew Bear/Lewis Robinson - vocals, guitars, music, lyrics and production
Duncan Bisatt - bass
Nick Ellison - violin

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Lew Bear image

Lew Bear UK

contact / help

Contact Lew Bear

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Lew Bear recommends:

If you like Lew Bear, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring interviews with LA music scene pillar Kamasi Washington, and new London-based duo Mrcy.

listen now