Vaux horses remembered in song

Mackem Folk Singer Dave Murray has composed this tribute to the Vaux dray horses.

Transcript

00:00 [MUSIC - EDWARD JOHN MAHONEY, "FOX'S HAIL"]

00:03 [MUSIC - EDWARD JOHN MAHONEY, "FOX'S HAIL"]

00:05 Oh, Edward John Mahoney is a kind, kind lad.

00:10 Was a trademan for Fox Brewery in the heart of Sunderland.

00:14 Now a cobblestone had once gleamed

00:16 to deliver the fox's hail.

00:19 To the rhythm of the horse's shoe goes the echo's way.

00:24 Through bustling streets and back lanes,

00:26 through fun cobblestone, far and wide those fox's horses roam.

00:33 Standing tall, relying strength, 18 hands and three,

00:37 Jack and Regal pulled those carts of ale for you and me.

00:43 With tireless strength and grace,

00:45 those gentle giants worked our town, pulling carts of ale

00:50 and never slowing down.

00:52 Feed to first the working class, they'd work a Christmas day.

00:56 Unsung heroes like a working man, Jack and Regal I say.

01:01 Oh, Edward John Mahoney is the kind, kind lad.

01:05 Was a trademan for Fox Brewery in the heart of Sunderland.

01:10 Now a cobblestone had once gleamed

01:12 to deliver the fox's hail.

01:14 To the rhythm of the horse's shoe goes the echo's way.

01:20 In teams of two, they graced our town,

01:22 a beautiful sight to see.

01:24 Jack and Regal pulling fox's ale for you and me.

01:29 Stubble and strong and set fast from a time long ago,

01:33 Jack and Regal were the names of the folklore they told.

01:36 Now if you hear the hoof on cobblestone,

01:44 when nighttime falls and you're all alone,

01:48 by Fontaine Road where the stables they once stood,

01:52 you may hear Jack and Regal pulling out another load.

01:59 So come, let's raise a glass to the fox's drey

02:03 and the cunny lad who led them on their way.

02:07 Many a royal show did they go, led by Edward John Mahoney,

02:14 now you know.

02:14 Oh, Edward John Mahoney is the kind, kind lad.

02:22 Was a dream in Fonfart brewery in a heart of Sunderland.

02:26 How a cobblestone had once gleamed

02:28 to deliver the fox's hail.

02:30 To the rhythm of the horse's shoe goes the echo's way.

02:34 Oh, Edward John Mahoney is the kind, kind lad.

02:47 [HORSE GALLOPING]

02:50 You're a cunny lad there, man.

02:56 (chewing)