88 - Poor Old Horse

Words: Traditional
Tune: Traditional

Some versions have the final line in each verse as Poor Old Man. If you're leading the song, sing whichever you prefer.

They say, old man, your horse will die
And they say so, and we hope so
They say, old man, your horse will die
Oh poor old horse

And if he dies then we’ll tan his hide
And they say so, and we hope so
Aye and if he dies then we’ll tan his hide
Oh poor old horse

And if he lives then we’ll ride again
And they say so, and we hope so
Aye and if he lives then we’ll ride again
Oh poor old horse

He’s as dead as a nail in the lamp room floor
And they say so, and we hope so
He’s as dead as a nail in the lamp room floor
Oh poor old horse

Aye and he won’t bother us no more
And they say so, and we hope so
Aye and he won’t bother us no more
Oh poor old horse

It’s mahogany beef and the weevily bread
And they say so, and we hope so
It’s mahogany beef and the weevily bread
Oh poor old horse

Just one more pull and that will do
And they say so, and we hope so
For we’re the lads to kick her through
Oh poor old horse

We’ll rop him down with a long, long rope
And they say so, and we hope so
Where the sharks’ll have his body and the devil take his soul!
O, poor old horse