The Goose-fair; A Legend Of Nottingham

Traditionally it is thought that the fair got its name from the hundreds of geese which were, at one time driven from Lincolnshire and Norfolk to be sold in Nottingham, however the lyrics of this tune suggest an alternative reason. A squire is left to bring up his son after his wife's death, and he prevents the boy from having any contact with women. When the son is older they go to the fair, inevitably they run into some women, and the son is bewildered. The father explains that they are 'geese'. Music hall audiences would have enjoyed the humour and cheered the performer.