Wiltshire Community History
Folk Song Information
| Song Title | Old Towler |
| Roud No. | 1240 |
| Collected From | Fulford, Frederick K. |
| Location | Stanton Fitzwarren |
| County | Wiltshire |
| Collected By | Williams, Alfred |
| Alternative Title | |
| Tune | |
| Date | |
| Source Primary | WSRO: 2598/36 Packet 4 - Wiltshire: Williams, A: MS collection No Wt 510 |
| Source Secondary | Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 5th August, 1916, p 3, Part 40, No. 2: Williams, A: Folk songs of the upper Thames, 1923 p 61 |
| Recording | |
| Song Lyrics | |
| Verse 1 Bright Chanticleer proclaims the dawn, And spangles deck the thorn, The lowing herds now quit the lawn, The lark springs from the corn; Dogs, huntsmen round the window throng, Fleet Towler leads the cry, Arise, the burden of my song - This day a stag must die. Chorus With a hey, ho, chivvy! Hark forward, hark forward, tan tivvy! Hark forward, hark forward, hark forward, hark forward! Tally ho! tally ho! tally ho! tally ho! This day a stag must die. Verse 2 The cordial makes its merry round, The laugh and joke prevail, The huntsman blows a joyful sound, The dogs snuff up the gale; The uplands wilds they sweep along, Through field and brake they fly, The game is roused, too true my song - This day a stag must die. Chorus Verse 3 Poor stag! The dogs thy haunches gore, The tears run down thy face, The huntsman's pleasure is no more, His joys were in the chase; Alike the generous sportsman burns, To win the blooming fair, But yet he honours each by turns, They each become his care. | |
| Print Song Lyrics | |
| Notes | |
| Williams, Alfred: Ms / WGS: Old Towler' has been a favourite almost everywhere, though it is seldom heard at this time. It is nevertheless occasionally sung at the Hunt Dinner at Cricklade. Copy supplied by F Fulford, Stanton Fitzwarren, near Highworth. Williams, Alfred: FSUT: 'Old Towler has been a favourite almost everywhere, though it is seldom heard at this time. It is nevertheless occasionally sung at the Hunt Dinner at Cricklade. Copy supplied by F Fulford, Stanton Fitzwarren, Wiltshire Transcribed and edited by Chris Wildridge, 2010. | |
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