Widdecombe Fair was a particular chilhood favourite of mine. It was sung at school, at home in the family and could often be heard on the radio, especially on Sunday afternoons on such radio programmes as "Down your way" or "Children's Hour". I'm writing of the late 1940's and early 1950's before television started to take over.
It's a fine jaunting song and should be sung with a nice Devon/Somerset accent. A good singer should be able to provide a contrasting voice for each of the riders of that unfortunate grey mare namely Tom Pearce, Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davey, Dan'l Whiddon, 'Arry 'Awk, Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all.
The version that I sing is to be found in
Songs and Dances of England by Liz Thomson and I put a lot of relish into
'Arry 'Awk this being a comic moment in the chorus.