Bedtime songs; mother sings to daughter, daughter sings to granddaughter, granddaughter sings with grandfather ........
Skewball or Stewball, a piebald horse was foaled in 1741. The race took place in "Fields of Kildare Ireland in 1752. Skewball was the underdog to "Griselda" or "Molly", the gray mare. There are many, many version of both lyrics and the tune.
Lyrics
"Stewball"
Oh Stewball was a racehorse, and I wish he were mine.
He never drank water, he always drank wine.
His bridle was silver, his mane it was gold.
And the worth of his saddle has never been told.
Oh the fairgrounds were crowded, and Stewball was there
But the betting was heavy on the bay and the mare.
But a-way out yonder, ahead of them all,
Came a-prancin' and a-dancin', my noble Stewball.
But i bet on the grey mare, and i bet on the bay
If I'd a bet on ol' Stewball, I'd be a free man today.
Oh the hoot owl, she hollers, and the turtle dove moans.
For a poor boy in trouble; Whose a long way from home.
Oh Stewball was a racehorse, and I wish he were mine.
He never drank water, he always drank wine.