Coverin' the Stack

These few lines are from farm workers hoeing sugar beet or mangels at Foxearth Hall in the mid thirties who amused themselves while doing this soul destroying job. The rhyme is as learnt by Paul Suttle from his father David. All the farmers were local to the area, and well known to the workers.

Coverin' the stack

It’s going to rain----said farmer Payne
It’s raining alriddy ---said farmer Kiddy
Sky’s getting darker –said farmer Parker
Looks black over Kennet—said farmer Stennet
Black as Al Jolsen---said farmer Colson
The clouds are right low--- said farmer Coe
Blast and dam it- said farmer Lambert
Let’s cover the stack son---said farmer Jackson
I’ll give you a hand –said farmer Brand
We’ll have to hasten –said farmer Mason
Looks like a pond filler –said famer Miller
Just get my brolly—said Goodchild (Colly)
That’s my corn gone- said farmer Sagon
You’ve had time to stack’m—said farmer Rackham
Should’ve had more sense-said Starkie Bence
Just have to endure –said farmer Ewer
So off they all hobbled—led by old Arthur Cobbald