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Todlin’ Whoam – by Edwin Waugh

Two versions of this fine poem – or song – were published by the author. The one given below has been carefully verified with that given in vol. VIII of Edwin Waugh’s Complete Works, page 294, where it prefaces a tale of the same name. The Complete Works was published in 1889 by John Heywood.
 

Todlin’ Whoam

Todlin’ whoam fro’ th’ market rant;
Todlin’ whoam, content an’ cant;
Wi mi yed i’ my hat, an’ my feet i’ my shoon,
Todlin’ whoam, bi th’ leet o’ th’ moon;
I’m fain to be todlin’ whoam!

Todlin’ whoam, for fireside bliss;
Todlin’ whoam, for th’ childer’s kiss;
God bless yon little ingle-nook!
God bless yon bit o’ curlin smoke!
I’m fain to be todlin’ whoam!

Todlin’ whoam for prattlin’ tungs;
Todlin’ whoam for twitterin’ sungs;
To fondle, an’ croodle, an’ sink to rest,
Wi’ th’ wife, an’ little brids i’ th’ nest;
I’m fain to be todlin’ whoam!

Audio Versions: You may need to allow 'ActiveX' control to listen

 

Recitation.

 

 

 

 

Sung (sort of - at least you get to hear the tune!).

 

 

A second version of the poem occurs in Vol X, pp. 152-153 of the Complete Works and contains the following differences from that given above:

1. The spelling of the first word of the title is Toddlin’.
2. The third line of the first verse is omitted, presumably simply a mistake, but one repeated in other versions, including some sung versions.
3. The first line of the second verse is: Toddlin’ whoam, for th’ fireside bliss,
4. The third and fourth lines of the second verse are given as:

    God bless yon bit o’ curlin’ smoke;
    God bless yon cosy chimbly nook!

5. The first three lines of the third verse are given as:

    Toddlin’ whoam for twitterin’ sungs;
    Toddlin’ whoam for prattlin’ tungs;
    Toddlin’ whoam, to sink to rest

The poem has been set to music and was very prettily sung by Larry Kearns on the LP Owdham Edge, published by Topic Records, no. 12T204. It is currently available on a CD by the same company, entitled Deep Lancashire. Go to http://www.topicrecords.co.uk/acatalog/index2.html.