  The "Merriment" recounted in this singular ballad, which I am not aware has ever before been printed, is said to have taken place at Dronfield, in Derbyshire, and I have heard the sixth line sung as "From Chesterfield, Beighton, and Masber." It is, however, uncertain whether this is correct, or whether it may not more probably have taken place at Rotherham, which is near both Kimberworth, Brightside, and Masber (Masborough). The copy I here give is from a MS. of more than half a century old. Soon as old Ball was got better, A merriment there was appointed, Creditor as well as debtor, Both met to be better acquainted. Number of lads there were present From Kimberworth, Brightside, and Masper, Each with a countenance pleasant, Stephen turn'd out with his fiddle, Each lad took his lass by the middle, Went reeling about like a riddle, As if they had been enchanted. Care, the forerunner of sorrow, Was kick'd out of door till to-morrow, Not one in his spirit was narrow; Then, boh! cry'd Tyger, undaunted. 2. Tyger connected with Jemmy, Conducted Ball out of the stable, Join'd in the yard by old Sammy, Who alefied came from the table. Ball being well prim'd with ginger, Was fit to jump over the fences, Neighbour as well as each stranger All thought they were out of their senses. Sammy, who hates to be idle, Seized Ball fast by the Bridle, Then gave him a kick made him sidle, So went far round as they wanted, Right hand and left they did clever, Made Jem to squint harder than ever, He promis'd his partner som liver; Then, boh! cried Tyger, undaunted. 3. Out jump'd the calf, elevated; The cow broke her sole and ran after; Shout upon shout it created, Tideswell the cow was so nam'd, Because at that fair they had bought her, She ran at Tyger untam'd, To fork him as nature had taught her. Tyger at that was displeas'd, Which caus'd a fresh dust to be rais'd; Her nose in a instant he seiz'd, At which old Samuel ranted. Tideswell took off like be madded, O'er mother and daughter she gadded, Huzzas in abundance were added, Then, boh! cried Tyger, undaunted. 4. Stephen, though blind as a beetle, Laughed hard at old Hannah's disaster, He lost no time with his fiddle, His elbow went quicker and faster: Ball cut such a new fashion'd caper, Which really by-standers amazed, All his four feet were at tapers, The pavement it perfectly blazed; Samuel nor no one that join'd him Durst venture their carcase behind him, Tho' age in a manner did blind him. No colt could win him 'twas granted, Tideswell caught Tyger and tost him Quite out of the ring till she lost him, Though many a bruise it did cost him; 5. Oceans to drink being call'd for, Hot cuddle-me-buff was the liquor, Wife of my own Jemmy called for, Old Hannah, cried Stephen, play quicker. Off they went after each other, As if they had quicksilver in them, Join'd by first one, then another, You never see nothing could win them Setting down sides, and then up again, Crossing in couples, to sup again, Sam'el, inspir'd with his cup, again Of his activity vaunted. Ball being prim'd with the best of them, Pranced and kick'd with the rest of them, Seeing he made a mere jest of them; Boh! cried Tyger, undaunted. 6. Tyger ran under Ball's belly, All danger, like Rodney, kept scorning, Some thought he was rather silly, As Ball was new frosted that morning. Sam'el got hurt in the scuffle, As Ball his fore feet was advancing, That seem'd his temper to ruffle, And quite put an end to their dancing. So they dismiss'd in civility, Talking of Ball's great agility, Tideswell and Tyger's fidelity, How the four brutes in particular Danc'd with their tails perpendicular, Straight forwards, sideways, and circular; Boh! cries Tyger, undaunted. |
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