GRANDAD'S FLANNELETTE NIGHTSHIRT
Written by George Formby & Eddie Latta.

I. As recorded by George Formby.

Now in our family we've got an heirloom; they handed it to me a year ago.
It's been in our possession since Grandad was a lad; I'll tell you what it is and then you'll know.

It's me grandad's flannelette nightshirt; in it I was christened one day.
Down at the church, they were in a whirl.
No one seemed to know if I were boy or girl.
They'd had one or two and, ee, they were in a mess! "But it's all right," said the preacher, rather curt.
"I've been and had a quiz,
And I've found out what it is,
By his grandad's flannelette shirt,
Lordy, Lordy! His grandad's flannelette shirt."

In me grandad's flannelette nightshirt, I got married one day.
In the train my bride gave a shout:
"Ee, what is that you are pullin' out?"
I said: "It's old-fashioned and it's tattered and torn, but I've brought it honeymoonin' with me, Gert."
When she said: "What is it, dear?"
I whispered in her ear:
"It's me grandad's flannelette shirt,
Lordy, Lordy! Me grandad's flannelette shirt."

The other day I got an invitation to go and join a nudist colony,
And as the life is healthy and in the open air, I trotted off as happy as can be.

With me grandad's flannelette nightshirt, I walked up to the door.
Someone said: "Now don't make a fuss.
Just take off your clothes and you'll be like us."
I was bashful so I stayed by myself, for with the girls I didn't want to flirt,
But when I fell asleep,
They all came and had a peep
At me grandad's flannelette shirt,
Lordy, Lordy! Me grandad's flannelette shirt.


II. Additional verse and chorus sung by George Formby in the film "To Hell with Hitler" a.k.a. "Let George Do It" (1940):

In eighteen ten, Grandfather joined the army, to fight Napoleon across the sea.
You've heard about the battle they had at Waterloo, but what was it that brought us victory?

Why, me grandad's flannelette nightshirt! It saved old England that day.
Bonaparte said: "We are undone!"
Even Josephine put her gas mask on.
He shot down our colours and captured our flag, but we are not downhearted, it's a cert,
For flyin' in the gale,
Everyone could see the tail
Of me grandad's flannelette shirt,
Lordy, Lordy! Me grandad's flannelette shirt.