This is a famous folk song, first collected by Australian folk song collector and composer Percy Grainger. It tells the story of a young man who heads to the eponymous fair, to meet his ‘dear’. Grainger recorded Lincolnshire folk singer Joseph Taylor singing the song (and several others) on wax cylinder in 1907, when Taylor was in his mid-seventies; it is the earliest known recording of a folk singer.

Taylor had learned the song from a Romany group in his childhood, but could only remember the first two verses, so Grainger made up the others. Brigg Horse Fair has taken place annually in August since 1235, and is organised by the Romany community. The horse parade takes place in the town centre, beginning on Station Road.

Local folk singer Kirsty Hannah recorded a version in 2022, in celebration of her wedding in Brigg. You can hear it here.

Words by RORY WATERMAN