DESCRIPTION:
© WildGoose Records 2007. Available to purchase from iTunes, Amazon and other major download sites.
A nonsense song from the North of England, and the source of the name of the first Folly Bridge recording. Frank Kidson included it in his 1891 collection and commented:

"Many years ago, this used to be a favourite song round about Leeds, though a very silly one. It must claim the indulgence of the reader more upon the merit of the air than that of the words. Before railways and cheap trips acted like general diffusers of London music hall songs, such like ditties in country districts were common in the kitchens of quiet public houses, and were in general the exclusive copyright of the old fogies who gathered there. The air is from an old manuscript collection of airs in my possession. It appeared in a series of articles upon old tunes contributed by me to the Leeds Mercury Weekly Supplement; otherwise, it has not been in print so far as I am aware. I need scarcely say that this delightful production would be sung only after a certain degree of conviviality had been reached."

Well the grey goose and the gander went over yonder hill
And the grey goose went barefoot for fear of being seen
For fear of being seen my boys, by the light of the moon
Rise early tomorrow morning all in the same tune.

The gentlemen took the ladies their hounds for to view;
Said the gentlemen to the ladies 'Well how do you do?'
How do you do, me boys, by the light of the moon
Rise early tomorrow morning all in the same tune.

Well the landlord got drunk and his reckoning forgot
So we pulled down his signpost and smashed all his pots
We smashed all his pots, me boys, by the light of the moon
Rise early tomorrow morning all in the same tune.

Well the grey goose and the gander went over yonder hill
And the grey goose went barefoot for fear of being seen
For fear of being seen me boys, by the light of the moon
Rise early tomorrow morning all in the same tune.