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Following the Old 'Oss

[Tony Deane]

Tony Rose recorded Tony Deane's May Day celebration in 1999 for his CD Bare Bones.

Lyrics

Here's adieu to winter's wailing.
From now on it's plain sailing:
For the summer is a coming today
As we welcome the first of May.

Chorus (after each verse):: And we're following the old 'oss through the town
And we're following the old 'oss Padstow round,
All on a bright May morning,
All on the first of May.

And we'll rise in the morning early
And remember Merv and Charlie,
By the Golden Lion we'll stand and greet
The old 'oss onto the street.

And there'll be no cries or cribbin'
We'll not wear the blue ribbon.
It's the Old Red Horse and a crate of beer
That brings us our good cheer.

And we'll sing from noon till nighttime
And for one song it's the right time.
Only in Padstow will you hear
The day song loud and clear.

So good men, don't ignore us,
Join in a May Day chorus;
Dance with the old 'oss, it's no sin
To watch the summer come in.

Compare to this Steeleye Span's song Padstow.