Ammon Wrigley - "Saddleworthshire"
The following is a transcription of a work by Saddleworth poet Ammon Wrigley (1861-1946).
Saddleworthshire
- Said Jack the shepherd, strong and hale:
- “Here’s to the lads o’ Longdendale,”
- “And here’s,” said I, as up I stood,
- “To lads as jannock, brave and good,
- Through rough and smooth, and thick and thin,
- They stand their corner, lose or win,
- As true as steel, as tough as wire,
- The merry lads of Saddleworthshire.”
- Then up and spake a comely maid,
- In cap and apron white arrayed:
- “Here’s health to you,” she smiling said,
- “I’d have you know I’m Saddleworth bred;
- You praise the lads, but naught you say
- Of maids as good in every way;
- What greater wealth can lads desire
- Than bonnie maids of Saddleworthshire?”’
- “Here’s health to you, and here’s to all
- That makes me heed my homeland’s call!
- The hill and dale, the moorland rough,
- The upland green, the stream and clough;
- The winding lane, the hamlet fold,
- The homely village, brown and old,
- And all that burns in me like fire
- Among the hills of Saddleworthshire.”