Puddingstone Jack - a Song

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Hertfordshire Puddingstone has long been an icon of the county, with many magical and mystical associations attributed to it. It’s quite common in the folk tradition for this kind of thing to be personified as a folk hero (or perhaps a culture hero), the best-known example being John Barleycorn.

I’ve been unable to find any such tradition about Hertfordshire Puddingstone, though, so I’ve created one for myself: Puddingstone Jack.

I came to this county before you were made
I’ll be here long after your memories fade
By ice I was driven by water was laid
And I marked out many a track
I led the first comers by the ways that were best
From the woods in the east to the hills in the west
And the energy flowed on the lines that I blessed
My name it is Puddingstone Jack
Oh my name it is Puddingstone Jack
And the energy flowed on the lines that I blessed
My name it is Puddingstone Jack

I spring from the ground new born every year
I give myself birth and I’ve nothing to fear
I give you increase of your yield and your cheer
There’ll be nothing that you’ll lack
I’ll ward off the devil and keep you secure
If your luck isn’t good I can give you a cure
And I’ll turn your cards to straight aces for sure
My name it is Puddingstone Jack
Oh my name it is Puddingstone Jack
I’ll turn your cards to straight aces for sure
My name it is Puddingstone Jack

In your walls and your churches I have many a shard
From Standon to Ashridge I’m standing on guard
But I’ll grow back in all of the places you’ve scarred
No matter how you may hack
For I’m Hertfordshire born and I’m Hertfordshire bred
Her skies are my roof and her earth is my bed
When your roads are all buried and your towns are all dead
I shall still be Puddingstone Jack
I shall still be Puddingstone Jack
When your roads are all buried and your towns are all dead
I shall still be Puddingstone Jack

© Nyki Blatchley