Tar Barrel In Dale
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Tar Barrel In Dale
Tar barrel in dale, fire in snow, toast the new year, bid farewell to the old
ALTO ONLY:
The old year out, the new year in, please won’t you let the lucky bird in.
ALL:
With bottle in hand and a piece of black coal,
A stranger’s a friend when first-footing you go.
Tar barrel in dale, fire in snow, toast the new year, bid farewell to the old
TENOR ONLY:
At midnight’s approach the band you can hear,
The fiery procession of guisers draws near.
ALL:
With friends and good company, with voices so clear,
Singing in harmony, bringing in the new year.
Tar barrel in dale, fire in snow, toast the new year, bid farewell to the old
BASS ONLY:
Off the heads of the guisers the blazing barrels are hurled,
Onto the bonfire; smoke, sparks and flames swirl.
ALL:
And it’s cheers and rejoicing, the rites of Old Father Time,
We’ll link arms together, sing Auld Lang Syne.
Tar barrel in dale, fire in snow, toast the new year, bid farewell to the old
SOP ONLY:
All throughout the year when we sing this song,
ALL:
Old friends and new friends, sing along.
May good fortune be with you, from all sorrows refrain,
’til that happy time, when we all meet again.
Tar barrel in dale, fire in snow, toast the new year, bid farewell to the old
Note: Words in BOLD are sung in harmony, the others are sung in unison.
Words & music by George Unthank, celebrating the Tar Barrel Procession in Allendale.
Manchester Community Choir 