Thanks for that info Jim. Until now I'd not found anything similar.

My ancestors on both sides were Irish Jim - Lynch and McCarthy on my grandmother's side; grandfather Clifford (dead before I was born) came from Mallow via Dowlais and York to Middlesbrough.

Several of my grandmother's brothers were bandsman in WWI, but only one was alive during my lifetime and I didn't really know him (though he had a fiddle).

In 1974 still quite early in my folk music years I asked her if she knew any songs, Apart from the song above she only had a few fragments of comic songs:

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Am I a man or am I a mouse,
Am I a decent man, a lodger,
I'd like to know who's the boss of our house,
Is it me or Flanagan the lodger.

(I'm guessing the 1st lodger should have been something like codger).

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This one with The Man You Don't Meet Everyday chorus:

The Hod Carrier (?)

I came over from Ireland a twelve months ago
The work it was slack and the wages was low
I'm working for Mister McAlpine and Co.
My name it is Patsy Kinsella and so
With bricks up the ladder I'm willing to go
for the man at the top does the work of the whole.

Ch/ So fill up your glasses and call what you please
Whatever the damage I'll pay
So be easy and free while you're boozin' with me
I'm a man you don't meet everyday.

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In the very first round it was Mick on the ground
With a punch that went under his chin

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The greatest city in the world is London
At least that's what the wealthy people say.
It's very nice for some who always get the plum
I only get what others throw away
While London sleeps and all the lights are gleaming
Millions of its people now lie softly dreaming
Some have no homes, while others...

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Mick