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PUFF-THE-DART—PUN O' MAIR WEIGHT S3
Gives proper directions, and sets out his men, So far go, my lads, and return back again.
Proper stations being fixed, each party advance, And lead one another a many fine dance. There's Gleaves after Ellis, and Piatt after he, Such running before I never did see.
Huzza! for the young men, the fair maids did say, May heaven protect you to conquer this day, Now, my brave boys, you're not to blame, Take courage, my lads, nine and eight is the game.
Now behold the Breeches makers, master and man, Saddlers, Slaters, and Joiners, do all they can; The Tailor so nimble, he brings up the rear, Cheer up, my brave boys, you need not to fear.
Alas! poor old Jacob, thy hopes are in vain, Dick Chidley is artful, and spoils all thy schemes. The Barber is taken, the Currier is down, The Sawyer is tired, and so is the Clown."
The moor referred to in the last line of the second verse was the Pitchmoor. The Clown was a nickname for one of the players, who, on hearing the song repeated in the presence of the author, became so exasperated, that, to appease him, the words " the game is our'n" were substituted for the words " so is the Clown " in the last line of the concluding verse.
Puff-the-Dart
A game played with a long needle inserted in some worsted, and blown at a target through a tin tube.—Halliwell's Dictionary. This game is also mentioned in Baker's Northamptonshire Glossary.
Pun o' mair Weight
A rough play among boys, adding their weight one upon another, and all upon the one at the bottom.—Dickinson's Cumberland Glossary. |
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