'Lean and lank'

Question

Please, what's the meaning of the words in bold, please?

(a Christmas song)

A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side;
The horse was lean and lank (lank = "thin" I suppose);
Misfortune seemed his lot;
He got into a drifted bank
And we, we got upsot!...

... Now the ground is white
Go it while you're young
Take the girls tonight
And sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bob-tailed bay
two-forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack! You'll take the lead.

By the way, is the word 'bobtail' like in "Bells on the bobtail ring" written together or in a separate way = "bob-tail "? Because I have already seen both forms in some Christmas lyrics.

Thanks in advance,
Maryanne

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

What have you learned so far, using your dictionary? There is very little here that cannot be found in a dictionary.
You might try www.m-w.com if you don't have one of your own.
CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Hi,CalifJim

I just wrote to the forum because I couldn't find the words. I'll follow your dictionary suggestion. Then, I'll return with my questions if it's necessary.

Many thanks,
Maryanne

Anonymous · Answer

Lean= thin, skinny in a nice way

Lank=not that subtle, more like a tall and thin person, like too slender with quite long legs or arms

Therefore, it refers to a horse which was not good enough and got himself stuck....got it?

sleighing song: song they were singing whilst riding the sleigh (sleigh is Santa´s vehicle).

Just get a bob-tailed bay : a brownish horse which tail has been cut/cropped
two-forty as his speed : a very fast one
Hitch him to an open sleigh : attach/tie him to an open sleigh (a sleigh without roof)
And crack! You'll take the lead. : and gooo go go go, you tell him where to go and lead him or ride him in the direction you would like to go

'Lean and lank'

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