• Written by David Hurdman & Hannah Hurdman
• Recorded by Doonvarna
(Catherine Hurdman – keyboard, David Hurdman – acoustic guitar & vocals,
Hannah Hurdman – flute, Richard Hurdman – drums)
This grim tale begins in 1805 and concerns a young man named Tom Otter,
A navvy in Lincoln. T'was there he met Mary and she would become his lover.
So close they became, she gave birth to his child and Tom, he was faced with a choice -
Marriage or jail; in November they wed. Short-lived was their marital bliss.
Tom now had two wives. Walking home that cold night, he realised he'd made a mistake.
As he stared at the ground, Mary sat down to rest. It was then that he spied that hedge stake.
Though two-feet in earth it tore out with such ease, so possessed was Tom Otter with anger.
In the light of the moon and with fire in his eyes he struck - in seconds he'd killed her!
(Chorus)
Tom murdered his wife with a hedge stake.
It happened down Drinsey-Nook lane.
And although he was hung till he couldn't draw breath,
Tom Otter - he swore he'd kill again.
The very next day, Tom Otter was caught and found guilty of murder when tried.
He was sentenced to death. Before he was hung swore he'd kill the man who'd testified.
Tom drew his last breath, his body cut down. It was pitched and fastened in irons
To be taken to away to Saxilby Inn and gibbeted at the scene of the crime.
(Chorus)
Mary's body was brought to the Inn. The rickety cart dripped with blood.
The river ran red; gore stained the Inn steps, no matter how hard servants scrubbed.
"He'll never come down!" These words barely passed through the lips of the man Tom had cursed;
Tom's body crashed down, killing the man. Tom had been true to his word!
The hedge stake was kept and for years afterwards, no matter where tied up or chained,
On the date of the murder t'was found soaked in blood, lying there in Drinsey-Nook lane!
(Chorus)
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