Hearing the local choir called ‘The Cousins’ sing this out into the darkness to call the ghost cows down off Kisdon was really rather special. Here are the words – we’re hoping to post a recording of the music shortly:
The Tale of the Swaledale Cow’us
Chorus:
Cu-ish, [shout] Come on!
Come on Cushy Pet
Come on Cow
Come on Cushy Cow
Verse: The old Swordle Cow’us , there’s nowt in-side.
There Once was a time when the old barn thrived,
Its use has gone, its time has died,
Its where the old tup hides.
Chorus: Then the Farmer called out…
Cu-ish, [shout] Come on!
Come on Cushy Pet
Come on Cow
Come on Cushy Cow
The tale it tells is both old and new,
The cows, the calls and the old hay mew.
The Ghost Barn calls where e’er we roam,
The old Cow’us is home.
Chorus: Then the Farmer called out…
The Cow’us had cows, the haymew’s full.
The ridstakes used to keep shorthorns still.
The long dark days were cold and grey.
The group it was always full
Chorus: Then the Farmer called out…
The kitle hangs ready for its daily use,
The backcan full, the cows didn’t re-fuse.
The Man once lish but not any more,
The never ending work.
Chorus: Then the Farmer called out…
The days grow long, there’s the smell of spring
The curlews call and the hairbells ring,
Cows sent up til they’ve gone
Up to the hidden hill
Chorus: Then the Farmer calls out.
Hays all gone, the meadows are sweet,
Cut and turned, with cocks all neat.
The sleds in use when the hay is reet
Folks work hard all day
Chorus: Then the Farmer calls out…
Days grow short, it’s that time of year
When the pig has gone and the cows re-appear.
The Cow’us is filled, each steaming boose
The cows get a canch each day
Chorus: Then the Farmer calls out…
Stories told, hard lives lived.
Times that are re-membered still.
Hay went in, milk came out.
Every family loved their land.
Chorus: Then the Farmer called out…
© Geoff Garrett 2017