Beware the Taw

Lonely stands a marker in a shady place, near the unforgiving Taw. There are two names inscribed upon the marker: Lady Hilda McNeill and Glyn Prichard. I wanted to find out what had happened at this spot, so I began my research. This is what I've come up with so far. I have written my findings as a sort of folk song.




McNeill & Prichard

A tragedy that took place on the River Taw, between Fremington Quay and Yelland, on the 15th. August 1904.


Lady Hilda McNeill went down to the river.
Something that she often would do.
There she spied a young boy a-drowning
and she dived in the tide O so blue.
Yes, she swam through the tide O so blue.


The young boy’s name it was Glyn Prichard.
He was no older than eleven fine years
and the Lady and him, they both were took under
and swept by the tide, both in tears.
Yes, swept by the tide, both in tears.


Lady McNeill tried to save poor Glyn Prichard.
Young Glynn Prichard she wanted to hold.
But the tide was too strong on the Isley Marsh bend
and they both breathed their last, O so cold.
Yes, they both breathed their last, O so cold.


A stone was laid where both they did perish.
The local mothers spoke well of her deed.
And Lady Hilda McNeill is a name I’ll remember,
for reaching out to a young child in need.
For reaching out to a young child in need.


Lady Hilda McNeill went down to the river.
Something that she often would do.
There she spied a young boy a-drowning
and she dived in the tide O so blue.
Yes, she swam through the tide O so blue.


She tried in the tide O so blue,
as they swam through the tide O so blue.
And they died in the tide O so blue.
Yes, they died in the tide O so blue.





Eccentrically.
Colin.

http://www.inclusifolk.com/
http://www.eccentricclub.co.uk/

Photograph by: Linda Shaddick