The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #73132   Message #1944837
Posted By: GUEST,Chris Cole
22-Jan-07 - 06:24 PM
Thread Name: Folklore: Bouncing Billy Barker
Subject: RE: Folklore: Bouncing Billy Barker
We actually had a picture of Billy, which we obtained from his daughter,who used to drink in The Royal Oak, which backs on to Woodhouse Street,where she lived with her father. If anyone needs the words to the song, I can supply them. Incidentally, Billy had a protege called Tony McCabe, who lived in Droylsden. He once attempted the "egg jump" on a North West TV programme and failed miserably! i never saw Billy perform, but there were plenty of people in Gorton and Openshaw who could testify to his feats-I understand that these placed enormous strain on his heart, to the extent that they caused the muscle to move several millimeteres each time he performed them.
Belated thanks to Mark for the words to "A Weavers Song"-I'm glad to say that after a number of years in the folk wilderness, I've now begun to perform again, and include the song in my repertoire.
          Chris Cole
          Wigtownshire
          Scotland