"North Notts." (Auth.)
Source:
"North Notts." (Auth.)
HARVEST CUSTOMS IN NOTTS.
Newark Herald,
3rd Sep.1887, No.792, p.5a
"A CORRESPONDENT, who signs himself 'North
Notts.,' writes in the Daily News that a recent
article in that paper reminds him of a similar custom
which 25 or 30 years ago prevailed in the county of
Notts., and which he has, as a boy, frequently taken
an active part. He adds - The last load of corn
brought home from the fields was the occasion for the boys
of the village to have a ride and to shout 'Harvest
Home' for the farmers. This load would generally
consist of the rakings of the field, and therefore not
very valuable. Previous to our mounting the load
for our ride we were careful to arm ourselves with
branches of trees, the purpose for which will
presently appear. On our journey from the field to
the farmer's yard, the usual hurrahs would be lustily
given, and at intervals of a few minutes a well-known
speech or ditty would be recited by the leading boys,
two of which I can yet remember:
God bless these horses which trail us home,
They've had many a wet and weary bone.
We've rent our clothes, and torn our skin,
All for to get this harvest in.
So hip, hip, hip hurrah.
In another the name of the farmer would be brought
in this:-
Mr. Smith he is a good man,
He lets us ride home on his harvest van.
He gives us bread, and cheese, and ale,
And we hope his heart will never fail.
So hip, hip, hip hurrah.
Then, Sir, curious and barbarous as it may seem, as
we drew near to houses, it was the custom to bring
out water and throw it upon us as we passed along,
and from which we defended ourselves with the
branches of trees. If we arrived safely home without
a dowsing of water, the occasion was shorn of half the
fun for the boys, but that was not the worst calamity.
It was supposed that farmer Smith's yield of corn
would not be so good. After arrival home apples
would be distributed to the boys for their labour in
shouting 'Harvest Home.'"
Index Terms:
| Locations: |
Notts.
|
| Years: |
Perf. 1852 to 1857
|
| Subjects: |
Harvest Home; Chants; Full Text
|
| Archives: |
TDRG Archive, Ref. TD00730
|
Last Updated Apr 2005 by Peter Millington.
|
