The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #87963   Message #1649639
Posted By: Jim Dixon
16-Jan-06 - 01:35 PM
Thread Name: Lyr/Chords Req: Cullercoats Fish Lass
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Culler Coat Fisher Lass
Lyrics copied from the Fish Tales page (Thanks, BigPinkLad, for the link), but I have made a few corrections based on my hearing of the sound file that can be played on that page. There are some names I am still doubtful about.

CULLERCOATS FISH LASS
As sung by Johnny Handle

I's a Cullercoats fishwife so cosy an' free,
Brought up in a cottage close on by the sea;
An' I sell fine fresh fish to poor an' to rich.
Will you buy, will you buy, will you buy me fresh fish?
Will you buy, will you buy, will you buy me fresh fish?

SPOKEN: Fine codlin's, hinny, cheaper for hyem consumption than butcher meat. There's fine mackerel; come, mister, you shall have them at your own price. But the sea's up. I swear fish just now is as bad to catch as husbands and a great deal worse to sell. Do you want any fish or what?

Will you buy, will you buy, will you buy me fresh fish?

Baith barefoot an' barelegg'd I trudge many a week,
With a creel on me back an' a bloom on me cheek.
I'll sell you flat fish, fine skate or fresh ling;
Pennywilks, crabs an' lobsters sometimes I will bring.
Will you buy, will you buy, will you buy me fresh fish?
Will you buy, will you buy, will you buy me fresh fish?

I work hard for me livin', from a friend never begs,
And I huff the young laddies when they peep at me legs.
I's healthy an' handsome, quite willin' an' strong
To toil for me livin' cryin' "fish" all day long.
Will you buy, will you buy, will you buy me fresh fish?
Will you buy, will you buy, will you buy me fresh fish?

SPOKEN: That's what I call fishin' for a livin'! But talkin' aboot fish, there's as queer fish on land as there is in the sea. Gladstone, Tom Sawyer an' Blondin (?). I call them "Star Fish" that baits the public to some tune. Folks that neglects to buy the Illustrated Tyneside Songs I consider them "Flat Fish". Mackay's men, they're "Dry Fish" - you can tell by their gills or maybe's by their jills. Noo sailors, well, they're "Sword Fish", that you should always keep a weather eye on land sharks. Volunteers, they're "Fresh Fish" when, with wor soldiers an' sailors, make up wor sole defenders. As for me, without your kind favours, I'd be like a fish out of water. I's a "Maiden Fish", oot of her teens just, in search of a husband to make meself comfortable. I want to take moorin's for life in the roads and channels of prosperity.

Will you buy, will you buy, will you buy me fresh fish?
Will you buy, will you buy, will you buy me fresh fish?