> The Watersons > Songs > The Tour of the Dales

The Tour of the Dales

[trad. arr. Watersons]

The Watersons sang The Tour of the Dales in 1966 on their album on A Yorkshire Garland. Like most of the tracks from this LP, it was re-released in 1994 on the CD Early Days. A.L. Lloyd commented in the original album's sleeve notes:

A rare masterpiece of song exclusive to the glorious country of Teesdale, Swaledale, Wharfedale, a concise guide and Who's Who of the district, how long ago? And who made the song? Perhaps the village school-teacher, Mr. Sims, who makes a sly appearance in the final verse. The Watersons collected this fine memorial of time past from Mick Taylor, a 64-year-old sheepdog trainer from the Wensleydale village of Hawes, in the Pennines.

Mr. Taylor's version is very long, and the singers have trimmed it a bit for the record.

Lyrics

The Watersons sing The Tour of the Dales

Now the world 'as strange places that never was known,
And you're now in the strangest and you now will be shown,
Oh, the names all been given to women and men,
And where they've all come from and 'ow and just when.

Chorus (after each verse):

Tally-o! Tally-o!
Foddy-idden, ry-fidden, trol-fol-da-rol-idden ry-do.

Now the foremost and first is 'igh Greenfield 'otel;
There you'll find Yethro and Inyun as well.
And Yethro is known for the pigeons 'e's shot
And Inyun is known for the photos 'e's got.

Now Beggarman's comes next in the valley so low;
There you'll find Foster and Beresford also.
And Foster's a man that is out for the grouse
And Beresford sings a good song in Lodge's 'ouse.

Now old Teesdale comes next at the foot o' Stygill;
There you'll find Peacock, Roland Ottey and Will.
And Peacock is known for the good lambs 'e's raised
And Ottey's an 'oss judge, which all men can praise.

Now Nethergill comes next but there's no one lives there;
Only Frank minds the stock with the greatest of care.
While Slabgill is funny and cannot be dull,
For that's where the bold kingfisher tried to kill t'bull.

Tarn 'ouses comes next, it's upon yon 'illside;
There's Sandra and Ellen and they both there reside.
Oh, beautiful Wharfedale so sweet and so fair!
Well, there's nowhere in England with thee can compare.

Now Raisgill comes next, it's just over yon green;
It's there Captain Goodbottle can often be seen.
And Ottey, 'e's gone over there to reside
And 'e's taken 'is good wife to live by 'is side.

Grace Parsons comes next and she keeps the George Inn;
There's many a good Dalesman 'as tasted 'er gin.
And the parson lives out t'back but 'e's very good
And there's Larriott and Nixon live snug under t'wood.

Ben Loftus loves ?? in the White Lion Inn;
With 'is grand trottin' osses the prizes 'e'd win.
While Robinson is out on the land near and far,
It's there you'll find Nickill and Lambert and Sarr.

So now I'll return you to Artisher 'all,
Wi' the flowers and the pear trees and the grand waterfalls.
Look in at the school and you'll find Mr Sims;
'e's teaching bad poetry, recitations and 'ymns.

Acknowledgements

Transcribed from the singing of the Watersons by Steve Willis, many thanks from Garry Gillard