Listen to the first verse sung by "White Hart"* (mp3 file)
When without verdure the woods in November are,
Then to our collars their green is transferred.
Racing and chasing the sports of each member are
Come then to Tarporley booted and spurred.
Holding together sir, scorning the weather sir,
Like the good leather sir, which we put on.Quaesitum meritis, good fun how rare it is.
I know not where it is, save at The Swan.Lo there's a maiden, whose sweet disposition
Is bent, like Diana's of old on the chase.
Joy to that sportsman, whose horse in condition is
Able and willing to go the best pace.
Racers are sweating now; owners are fretting now;
Stable boys betting now; "France, Ten-to-one"Quaesitum meritis, good fun how rare it is.
I know not where it is, save at The Swan.Lo where the forest turf covers gentility,
Foremost with glory, and hindmost with mud.
Now let the President prove his ability,
Umpire of seed, whether cocktail or blood.
"Go-by" and "Adelaide" though they were saddled,
And led forth and straddled, judge there was none.Quaesitum meritis, good fun how rare it is.
I know not where it is, save at The Swan.How with due praise shall I sing the palatinate
Ably with presidents filling our chair?
The greys and the leighs and the brookes that have sat in it,
Toasting our bumpers and drinking their share.
Each squire and each Lord sir, that meets at our board sir
Were I to record sir, I never have done.Quaesitum meritis, good fun how rare it is.
I know not where it is, save at The Swan.Sume superbiam quaisitum meritis.
Shades of Sir Peter and Barry look down.
Long may we good fellows, now a day rare it is,
Live to be merry in Tarporley Town.
Fox preservation throughout the whole nation
Affords recreation, then drink it each man.Quaesitum meritis, good fun how rare it is.
I know not where it is, save at The Swan.
Notes:
*As featured on the album "In Search of Reward" (Traditional Sound Recordings, TSR033). Sung by "White Hart" - Geoff Bibby, Dave Cotton and Cynthia Sheath. 1979.
Tarporley Hunt - 1833, was written by R.E. Egerton-Warburton (1804-1891) in praise of "The Swan" at Tarporley, where the Cheshire Hunt still meets.
The Quaesitum is an inscribed tankard for official toasts.
Quaesitum Meritis = The search for rewards.
Sume superbiam quaesitum meritis = Take special pride in rewards.
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