Parson and the Sucking Pig, The

DESCRIPTION: A parson insists that a farmer's tithe be a plump sucking pig which he will feed some guests that night. He rejects the first offer and insists on making the choice himself. The old sow throws him in the mud and he runs away, swearing off "sucking pig"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1888 (Baring-Gould collection, according to Palmer)
KEYWORDS: farming humorous animal clergy
FOUND IN: Britain(England(South))
REFERENCES (6 citations):
Gardham-EarliestVersions, "PARSON AND THE SUCKING PIG, THE"
Williams-FolkSongsOfTheUpperThames, pp. 197-198, "The Parson and the Sucking Pig" (1 text) (also Williams-Wiltshire-WSRO We 325)
Palmer-EnglishCountrySongbook, #28, "The Tythe Pig" (1 composite text, 1 tune)
Palmer-ThePainfulPlow, #5, "The Sucking Pig" (1 text, 1 tune)
Baring-Gould/Sheppard-SongsOfTheWest2ndEd, #29, "The Tythe Pig" (1 shortened text, 1 tune)
ADDITIONAL: George Griffiths, A History of Tong, Shropshire (London, 1894 ("Digitized by Google)), pp. 138-139, "The Tithe Pig" (1 text)
Roud #574
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Harding B 25(57), "The Parson and Pigs" ("All you who love a bit of fun"), unknown, no date
NOTES [25 words]: Griffiths relates this song to the Tithe Commutation Act of 1836. The parson insists on being allowed to choose the tithe: "you know it is my due." - BS
Last updated in version 6.8
File: WT197

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