Your Chance To Sing At Plainmoor!
Help raise money for Children in Need by singing the county's most famous folk song at Plainmoor on Sunday at half-time during United's match against Northwich. Pudsey Bear will be at Plainmoor and there will be a collection at half-time on behalf of Children In Need.
Widecombe Fair is Devon's best known folk song and Uncle Tom Cobley and all will be singing it at the annual fair in September. All money raised will go to the 2008 BBC Children in Need appeal.
The song was first published in the 1880s. It tells the story of seven men and a grey mare, who set off for Widecombe Fair. Before completing their journey the old horse becomes sick and dies.
Devon Sings is a partnership between BBC Devon and the Rotary clubs of Devon.
"We want this to be a major event across the whole of Devon," said Rotary co-ordinator Richard Hopkins. ''We chose a song that everyone knows and can easily sing. It's probably the only folk song from Devon that everyone is familiar with. Devon has a population of 1.1 million, wouldn't be stunning if everyone pulls together to make this work. Hopefully we can join together and raise thousands of pounds for Children in Need, which is an admirable charity."
BBC Devon's assistant editor Sarah Solftley said this is a unique opportunity for the county of Devon to sing as one: "We're not bothered if you can sing or not. We just want people to take part and help raise money for Children in Need - and have fun at the same time."
The Lyrics
Tom Pearse, Tom Pearse, lend me your grey mare,
All along, down along, out along, lee,
For I want for to go to Widecombe Fair,
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,
Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.
And when shall I see again my grey mare?
All along, down along, out along, lee,
By Friday soon, or Saturday noon,
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,
Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."
Then Friday came, and Saturday noon,
All along, down along, out along, lee,
But Tom Pearces old mare hath not trotted home,
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,
Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."
So Tom Pearse he got up to the top o' the hill
All along, down along, out along, lee,
And he seed his old mare down a-making her will,
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,
Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."
So Tom Pearse's old mare, her took sick and died,
All along, down along, out along, lee,
And Tom he sat down on a stone, and he cried
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,
Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."
But this isn't the end o' this shocking affair,
All along, down along, out along, lee,
Nor, though they be dead, of the horrid career
Of Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,
Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."
When the wind whistles cold on the moor of a night
All along, down along, out along, lee,
Tom Pearse's old mare doth appear gashly white,
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,
Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."
And all the long night he heard skirling and groans,
All along, down along, out along, lee,
From Tom Pearce's old mare in her rattling bones,
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,
Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."
