Tom the Fiddler:
A Remarkable Local Career
Previously published in The Cambrian News, 29 August 1890,
under the title of ‘Death of a notorious Welsh Fiddler - A Remarkable Local Career.’
Jack, a typical Fiddler
There passed away sometime on Monday morning last, a well-known character in South Wales — Mr. Thomas Lloyd, more familiarly known by the appellation of ‘Tom the Fiddler.’ Deceased was 70 years of age, and it was noticed that he had been failing the last few weeks.
He lived quite alone at 5, Church Parks, Mumbles, and was unattended by anyone during his short illness. He was last seen alive in his house at about 9 o’clock on Sunday night by a man named James Lang, and on the following (Monday) morning at nine be was found dead in an armchair near the fire fireplace.
‘Tommy,’ as he was called by all who knew him, was a remarkable character in every respect. He was one of those mysteries of humanity, which are met with in every town and city, and in every village for the matter of that. He was a familiar figure in the Mumbles, where be lived and had his being during the past 30 years, and yet next to nothing is known of him and his origin.
Frequently the midnight air would be startled with his wild, drunken and woman-like shrieks, coarse jests, oaths and ribald songs. While oftentimes he would be seen in the day surrounded by a crowd of boys, whom he would amuse (!) by relating stories, singing vulgar songs, and by exhibiting his swearing powers — and they were great! His selection of ribald songs could always be commanded for the price of a pint of beer. His fiddle, which he always carried under his coat, as he was greatly attached to it, was ever at the service of those who, in addition to supplying him with a goodly quantity of liquor, would also give him a little money.
There was a weak and dismal indefiniteness about ‘Tommy,’ which often aroused feelings of pity in the breasts of the more sympathetic. The way he drifted or staggered along the road, with a gait all his own, suggested that he was utterly at a loss as to whence he came or whither he was going. He must have been possessed of a remarkably strong constitution, which he abused to an extent, which seems almost incredible. His passion for strong drink was very strong. He was nearly always under its influence, and often had as a bed, some field or hedge and the broad sky as a roof. His boast was that he could ‘drink more than any other man,’ and had attended all the ‘old fashioned weddings’ in and around Swansea.
‘Tommy’ was a native of Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, where he was taught to play the fiddle by his father, who went by the name of ‘Roderick the Fiddler,’ his life being such another as his son’s. Roderick kept to the fiddle almost up to the day of his death, and when decrepitude prevented him from walking, he hired a donkey, which carried him from place to place. In these musical excursions, he was invariably accompanied by ‘Tommy’, who thus got the first rudiments in the art of gaining a livelihood as a strolling musician.
Somerset House can be seen on the lower right
‘Tommy’ came to Swansea 40 years ago, and settled down in Morriston. During that time made many friends there, and was to be seen at many weddings.
About 30 years ago, he obtained a license for the ‘Somerset House,’ situated on the top of the Mumbles Hill. He did a good business during the summer months, and many were the dances which he organised on the green in front. But ‘Tommy’ could not keep within the limits of the law, and was convicted for selling beer on Sundays, the result being that he had to give up the house, after keeping it for five years.
He then took a house in Church Parks, and devoted his whole time to entertaining parties, etc. So popular did he become, that he was engaged at almost all the ‘Gower weddings,’ and many and strange tales would he tell of his experiences at these festivities. On these occasions, he adorned his ‘Sally,’ as he called his fiddle, with bright ribbons. He married, we believe, twice, and his second wife died about five months ago. She was attended during her illness by ‘Tommy's’ sister, but he, himself, did not deviate in the least from the extraordinary life which he led. His sister's health broke down in consequence of her assiduous and careful attention to Mrs. Lloyd, and shortly after the death of the latter, ‘Tommy's’ sister was found dead one morning in the very chair in which her brother has just breathed his last. This fact seemed to create a deep impression upon the poor fellow, for during his brief illness he several times expressed the fear that he would also die in the same way — and his presentiment proved but too true!
Although so much addicted to drink, ‘Tommy’ was very honest, and was liked by all who knew him. He made the acquaintance of the interior of the Police Court for drunkenness no less than fifty times, and he used to relate how much he had paid in the shape of fines.
The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon last, at All Saints’ Churchyard, Mumbles.
Article donated by Jan McKechnie of Mumbles Hill House
once known as Somerset House