Grat For Gruel

On Springthyme SPRCD 1042
Shepheard, Spiers & Watson - They Smiled as We Cam In

Tom Spiers: Learnt directly from the singing of Jimmy McBeath who was a frequent guest at the Aberdeen Folksong club in itÕs heyday. I have been singing this song, which Jimmy often referred to as The Cruel Weaver, for about 40 years but this is the first time I have recorded it. (Roud 935)

Tom (vocal) with Pete (melodeon and vocal) and Arthur (whistle and vocal)

1: There wis a weaver in the north,
O but he wis cruel,
The very first nicht that he got wad,
He sat an he grat for gruel. [grat=cried
He widna wint his gruel, [wint=do without
He widna wint his gruel,
Aye the very first nicht that he got wad,
He sat an he grat for gruel.

2: ÒThereÕs nae a pot in aa the hoose,
I can mak yer gruel in.Ó
ÒThe washin potÕll dae wi me,
For I maun hae ma gruel.Ó
ÒI winna wint ma gruel,
I canna wint ma gruel,
Aye the washin pot itÕll dae wi me,
For I maun hae ma gruel.Ó

3: ÒThereÕs nae a spoon in aa the hoose,
For ye tae sup yer gruel wi.Ó
ÒThe gairden spade itÕll dae wi me,
For I maun hae ma gruel.Ó
ÒI winna wint ma gruel,
I canna wint ma gruel
Aye the gairden spade itÕll dae wi me,
For I maun hae ma gruel.Ó

4: Well sheÕs come ben wi tea an cakes,
Brought them ben on a tool [towel
ÒGae awa, gae awa wi yer fal-di-ralls,
For I maun hae ma gruel.Ó
ÒI winna wint ma gruel,
I canna wint ma gruel,
Gae awa, gae awa wi yer fal-di-ralls,
For I maun hae ma gruel.Ó

5: Sae come aa young lassies far eÕer ye be,
Niver mairry a weaver,
The very first nicht that he got wad,
He sat an he grat for gruel.
He widna wint his gruel,
He widna wint his gruel,
Aye the very first nicht that he got wad,
He sat an he grat for gruel.

c p 2006 Springthyme Records ¥ Springthyme Music