Forest of Rossendale. 261 



is, I have reason to believe that it is but a fractional part of what 

 might be collected in the locality. Some of the names given to 

 the pieces are characteristic of the dry humour of the authors — a 

 quality which is largely possessed by many of the old inhabitants of 

 the Forest. Among the list we find " Happy Simeon," " Little 

 Amen," "Booking Warp," " Strong Samson," " Old Methuselah," 

 and " Spanking Rodger." {b) 



Numerous are the stories that are told of the modes in which 

 the enthusiasm of the " Layrocks " is or was displayed in their 

 pursuit of the musical art. In hand-loom days, when every man's 

 house was his workshop, it was usual for the " Deighners " to 

 repair to each other's houses alternately, after the Sunday's service 

 at the chapel, and continue their practice of music far into the 

 small hours of the Monday morning ; and, on rising, after a brief 

 repose, the Monday was spent in a similar manner. Very often the 



(A) One piece, of a secular character - the words and music of which are by 

 the same hand — always affords amusement. It is sung by four voices, and 

 consists of a like number of verses, one being taken by each singer at one 

 and the same time. It professes to describe and ridicule the abortive efforts 

 of a local musical genius, who is endeavouring to initiate into the mysteries 

 of the divine art a class of unimpressionable pupils, and is usually given with 

 all the tumultuous energy of which the Singers are capable. The words, as 

 follows, without pretensions to any special merit, are interesting as a Local 

 curiosity : — 



"OLD SIMON: 



"A CATCH FOR FOUR VOICES. 

 " Simon, I have heard thy singers, 

 Squeaking, squalling. 

 Shouting, bawling, 

 Ranting, roaring — what a din ! 

 Enough to make one's blood run thin I 



"I compare thy snaffling choir 

 To tumult at a house on fire ; 



To hunters in full chase, 



Or riots in a market-place ; 

 Or howling dogs, or angry cats. 

 Or scolding wives, or brawling brats. 



