Paul Wilson 1982
“Written about the ancient Bampton Fair in Devon, once a very important pony-trading event but largely taken over by a funfair by the time he visited in the 1970s. The song includes examples of Romani speech including “grai” for horse.” Bampton Fair has been happening since 1258 on the last Thursday of October, though now it is more of a “fun fair” or “pony fair” than its traditional horse-trading focus.
Melrose Quartet: https://melrosequartet.bandcamp.com/track/bampton-fair
https://melrosequartet.bandcamp.com/track/bampton-fair
Are you going to Bampton Fair? Get your beer down Bob, we’re moving Are you going to Bampton Fair, boy? We’ll go to the fair like we’ve always done Get in the car and give it a run Get a few friends and have some fun Down at the Bampton Fair, boy, down at the Bampton Fair Who did you see at the Bampton Fair? Young ones, old ones, me and you Travellers, farmers, visitors too They even had a TV crew Down at the Bampton Fair? What did you buy at the Bampton Fair? A crockery set that has no cups A brand new shirt that has no cuffs A bloomin’ old grai that has no puff Down at the Bampton Fair? What did you drink at the Bampton Fair? Twenty-one pints and one for me head A scotch or a brandy or a port instead All served up in a muddy old shed Down at the Bampton Fair? What did you get at the Bampton Fair? Two black eyes and a broken nose I caught a cold and I damn near froze A bump on the head and I tore me clothes Down at the Bampton Fair? Will you go next year to Bampton Fair? If the pubs are open and the beer is free If the landlord says “It’s all on me” If I can’t think of anywhere else to be I’ll go to Bampton Fair, boy, go to the Bampton Fair