The Carter's Health
Speed the Plough track 1
A toast from Lucy Broadwood's collection. She noted this and the Mistress' Health from John Burberry at Lyne, Sussex, in September 1892.
Lucy Broadwood wrote:
“Hey” and “Ree” are right and left respectively; “Who with a hey and ree the beasts command” (Micro-Cynicon, 1599). “Hoo” or “Ho” is the same as “Woa” – stop; “So when they once fall in love there is no Ho in them till they have their love” (Cobbler of Canturburie, 1608). “Gee” is of course “Go on.” “Gio” used in this sense is quoted in Dialogus Creaturarum, 1480. In the “Chorus” part, the four names are sung by four of the singers in order, all joining in at “But the bobtailed mare.” In the "Chorus" part, the four names are sung by four of the singers in order, all joining in at "But the bobtailed mare."
You can hear a 2013 live recording of Magpie Lane performing this song in St Mary’s Church, Bampton, at A Folk Song A Week Week 164 – Carter’s Health / Mistress’s Health.