Old Tup, sometimes termed the Derby Tup or the Derby Ram, is a folk custom found in an area of the East Midlands of England. Geographically, the custom was found on the borders of Derbyshire and Yorkshire and stretched into part of Nottinghamshire.

This latter was rigged out with a block of wood roughly shaped into a sheep's head, with marbles from old ginger-beer bottles inset for eyes. These were fastened into place with a row of tacks that gave the appearance of eye-lashes.

Old Tup, sometimes termed the Derby Tup or the Derby Ram, is a folk custom found in an area of the East Midlands of England. Geographically, the custom was found on the borders of Derbyshire and Yorkshire and stretched into part of Nottinghamshire.

‘The Derby Ram’ or ‘Old Tup’ is a widely collected traditional song, found all over the English-speaking world.

The Derby Tup is also known as Old Tup or the Derby Ram and is a mumming play associated with house visiting customs around Christmas time in the Sheffield area. The Tup is similar to the Hooden Horse in construction – a head on a pole with snapping jaws and rams horns, held by an operator covered by a cloth to represent the body.

In its native area of north east Derbyshire and South Yorkshire the song forms part of a mummers play known locally as The Old Tup. It is usually performed by a group of adolescents during the Christmas season at public houses and working-men’s clubs.

The Old Tup and its Ritual BY IVOR GATTY (Not infrequently one meets with references to the presence of the Old Top, and sometimes a companion Hobby-Horse at Christmas Mummings in the North Midlands, but rarely with a description of the ritual or comparison of the variants of the song, which by the name of " The

Jan 25, 2021 · Tup; Text: {I. - THE OLD TUP.} [MIDI music sound file] [ABC music notation] [1] As I was going to Derby upon a market day, I met the finest Tupsie that ever was fed on hay. Say laylum, laylum, Pityful laylum lay. [2] The man that stuck the tupsie Was up to the knees in blood; The man that held the basin Was washed away in the flood.

Jan 25, 2021 · We'll come in and show you the Derby Tup. {If permission were granted the troupe marched in. The farmer had the tup on a halter, and there was a bit of comic business with it trying to escape, and charging the audience, etc.

The Old Tup As I was going to Der by -upon - the mar - day,ket I met the fin - tup,est sir, that ev - was feder on hay. Bay 1. As I was going to Derby upon the market day, I met the finest tup, sir, that ever was fed on hay. CHORUS: Bay-lee, bay-lee, reddy fol-oo-ra-lay. 2. This tup was fat behind, sir, this tup was fat before,