Thanks, both Bonnie Shaljean and Kaleea.
...and yes, that's the song. I've been able to pick most of them off an old label-less tape, but some of the words are obliterated. I got the melody as well; perhaps I'll transcribe a midi if the words can get set to rights.
Cheers,
Lucius
TEN MINUTES TOO LATE
Harry Clifton (1824-1872)
O, there's some fidgety [pocket?] that all of us know
Have a habit of being out too soon
For that two o'clock dinner or four o'clock tea
They always show up around noon.
Such a whimsical fancy I ne'er call my own
As [the curse?] has decided my fate.
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late.
Punctuality's all very proper I know
All the hurry and worry I hate,
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late
I was once in my life very deeply in love
When I courted in verse and in prose.
I obtained a big lock of her hair [from the glove?]
And I made up my mind to propose.
Well the car drove away as I called to the door
And the answer decided my fate,
For my rival was there just ten minutes before
And I was ten minutes too late.
Punctuality all very proper I know
All the hurry and worry I hate,
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late
If I jump on a horse or a tram or a car
To be nicely in time for a train
I get all in a fever and quite in [a fog?]
And I find that my efforts' in vain.
[I stop in a pub and I?] taste a glass
And believe that that it's five minutes to wait.
I observe by the clock that it's five minutes past
And that I am ten minutes too late.
Punctuality all very proper I know
All the hurry and worry I hate,
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late
O I could sing for a month if I [tolled?] it a song
The misfortunes I've had to endure,
For this habit's that haunt me all my life long
For will haunt till death being sure.
As my [physical?] career it approach its end
And I lie in a critical state,
No matter what physics the doctor may send
Won't he send them ten minutes too late.
Punctuality all very proper I know
All the hurry and worry I hate,
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late.
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sj