A LAD FROM LANCASHIRE
As recorded by George Formby

No matter where I go--London, Paris, Mexico--
Anywhere on Earth, they know my place of birth.

I met a girl from London when she sat on Blackpool Pier.
She said she could tell I'm a Lad from Lancashire.
She said, "Are you a nudist?" so I blushed and said, "No fear.
I'm covered up like a Lad from Lancashire."

North or South, when I open my mouth, they know that I'm not Dutch.
They can tell I come from Lancashire, but they can't tell me much.
I whispered, "I'll be nudist if you'll be the same, my dear."
She said, "No fear, with a Lad from Lancashire."

A widow nice and young and gay said, "Come to tea, my dear.
I've something nice for a Lad from Lancashire."
We sat down on the sofa and I felt her creeping near.
I said, "Hee hee! take care! I'm a Lad from Lancashire."

North and South, when I open my mouth, they know that I'm not Dutch.
They can tell I come from Lancashire, but they can't tell me much.
That widow started kissing me and tickling my ear.
I tickled her like a Lad from Lancashire.

I went with Jane down Lovers' Lane and whispered in her ear,
"Now do your best for a Lad from Lancashire."
She said to me when on my knee, "You can't do that there 'ere."
I said, "Hey, hey! I can; I'm a Lad from Lancashire."

North and South, when I open my mouth, they know that I'm not Dutch.
They can tell I come from Lancashire, but they can't tell me much.
That night when Jane got home again her Ma said, "You look queer.
I'll bet tha's been with that Lad from Lancashire."

Songwriters: FORMBY,GEORGE/GODFREY,FRED
A Lad From Lancashire lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

I remember my mother telling me that on her first visit to Paris in the 1930s, seeing all the notices — "Interdit à pisser", "Interdit à cracher" etc — she thought of this song and regretted that it was untranslatable, as it would so perfectly suit the French official spirit. Next year she visited again, and a French version was playing everywhere — unfortunately I can't remember the title, but it was something like "Ça c'est interdit ici", I think.