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Merry Tom

from Down By The Riverside by Lew Bear

/

about

This is the tale of the horse Merry Tom, a real horse that lived a real life and then gave it's name to a stretch of river, then a lane, and now, a folk festival
I decided such an illustrious beast needed more of a tale than what we had (all that's known is the last verse, the rest is fictional)

Recorded on the banks of the Merry Tom stretch of the River Nene

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 farmer’s 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

Young Tom went to Red Earl, loudly he did beg
“Please sir don’t kill this horse due to a poorly leg”
Red Earl said “if you can afford the feed
I’ll let you keep this poorly steed”
Young 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 Down By The Riverside, released June 16, 2013
Vocals, guitar, lyrics and arrangement - Lew Bear

With the exception of the last 2 lines - Local lore

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Lew Bear UK

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