NP: Here's the story of John Buckmaster, the epicentre of the drama. There is so much to put in. I've got lots of notes and ideas. Some of the language is terrific: "Where the carcase is, there will the eagles be".
I have been playing with the idea of a song set to Mozart's Horn Concerto. Hmmm. I would be happy to drop this but have enjoyed trying to make it work.
[PB: The music and the lines are so complicated that breaks and emphases are difficult to show here — will definitely need close attention!]
They fenced off our footpaths and tried to prevent us
From grazing our ponies, our cows and our sheep.
They even grubbed up our few rows of potatoes
The pockets of Wandsworth's proprietors are deep.
To stop their game,
we had to win over the magistrate
To stop their game,
was a hell of a difficult task.
These gentlemen cheat
And they will defeat
Yes they will defeat us if they can.
Oh, we'll all end up in the clink.
Before we manage so much as a blink
But then I thought a bit
I must admit
It was a most brilliant idea
I had to cheer — I would find a copyholder.
Well, where to find this gent?
He appeared, yes he really did, heaven sent.
How did I get to this gent?
With some gin.
With some gin,
And tobacco the poor chap was lured in.
Who was this bloke?
One Wrigsby by name
And to my shame
Knowing I needed a witness to win in the court case. . .
And having seen one chap already in gaol
I asked him to sign on this paper of mine
It would all turn out fine — be OK — without fail.
And so this bloke, whose father kept cows on his copyhold,
He said he'd sign — said he'd sign — swore he'd sign — fine
So this seller of brickdust and spuds said he would be a witness in court.
He said he's rather glad his father had
Two cows and a pony to graze.
"Stand by me! Stand by me! Do you promise to sta-and by me?
Dobs is taking a bit of land. Oh where is the villain who pinched my land?"
So we got him to court and there he let me down.
He wore a yellow waistcoat made of plush
A choker like a tablecloth — oh what a sight.
[cadenza]
The lawyers had gathered to feed on the carcase
Poor Wrigsby was utterly carried away
And what did he say? — To my utter dismay — that there'd be not a penny to pay!
He'd signed to oblige — that it would be all right — and there'd be not a penny to pay!
He'd signed to oblige -that it would be all right — and there'd be not a penny to pay!
[cadenza]
The lawyers thought they'd won the day.
But what did the nice VC say?
"Judgement is reserved for today!"