Cooper, Thomas

The Swineherd of Stow

1. I sing of a swineherd, in Lindsey, so bold,
2. Who tendeth his flock in the wide forest-fold:
3. He sheareth no wool from his snouted sheep:
4. He soweth no corn, and none he doth reap;
5. Yet the swineherd no lack of good living doth know
6. Come jollily trowl
7. The brown round bowl,
8. Like the jovial swineherd of Stow!
9.  
10. He hedgeth no meadows to fatten his swine:
11. He renteth no joist for his snorting kine:
12. They rove through the forest, and browse on the mast, –
13. Yet, he lifteth his horn, and bloweth a blast,
14. And they come at his call, blow he high, blow he low! –
15. Come, jollily trowl
16. The brown round bowl,
17. And drink to the swineherd of Stow!
18.  
19. He shunneth the heat ‘mong the fern-stalks green, –
20. Or dreameth of elves ‘neath the forest treen:
21. He wrappeth him up when the oak leaves sere
22. And the acorns fall, at the wane of the year;
23. And he tippleth at Yule, by the log’s cheery glow. –
24. Come, jollily trowl
25. The brown round bowl,
26. And pledge the bold swineherd of Stow!
27.  
28. The bishop he passeth the swineherd in scorn, –
29. Yet, to mass wends the swineherd at Candlemas morn:
30. And he offereth his horn, at our Lady’s hymn,
31. With bright silver pennies filled up to the brim: –
32. Saith the bishop, “A very good fellow, I trow!” –
33. Come, jollily trowl
34. The brown round bowl,
35. And honour the swineherd of Stow!
36.  
37. And now the brave swineherd, in stone, ye may spy,
38. Holding his horn, on the Minster so high! –
39. But the swineherd he laugheth, and cracketh his joke,
40. With his pig-boys that vittle beneath the old oak, –
41. Saying, “Had I no pennies, they’d make me no show!” –
42. Come, jollily trowl
43. The brown round bowl,
44. And laugh with the swineherd of Stow!

Editor’s Note:

A sculpture known as the Swineherd of Stow stands, with his horn in his hand, atop the pinnacle of the North buttress that terminates the magnificent façade of the West front of Lincoln Cathedral. On the opposite buttress pinnacle is St. Remigius, the Norman bishop.

The tradition, in the mouth of every Lincolner, is that this effigie honour was conferred on the generous swineherd because he gave his horn filled with silver pennies towards the rebuilding or beautifying of the cathedral.

Lincoln Cathedral (The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln) is a historic cathedral located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England. It is also the seat of the Bishop of Lincoln in the Church of England.