Don't Marry A Lumper                                
(Ron Baxter)

Don't marry a lumper, never a lumper wed;
For except when you're on your honeymoon,
He'll never take you to bed;
Just when you are ready, for kissing and cuddling so;
He'll put his clogs and oilskins on,
And down to the docks he'll go.

I married a lumper, at least he's not at sea;
Though he works all through the night,
At least his days are free;
But I forgot; he has to sleep, until I shout out "Joe!
It's time to put your oilskins on!" -
And down to the docks he'll go.

My Dad he was a lumper, my Mam gave me advice;
"Don't marry a lumper!" -
Not that my Dad weren't nice!
She said she hardly knew him, there was only me and our Flo;
They'd just have a kiss, on with his kit,
And down to the docks he'd go.

Sung by Liz Gillingham and Sue Bousfield to their tune.

The lumpers were Fleetwood Dock's casual labour force, called in at any hour of the day or night to unload a catch of fish from a newly arrived trawler, or to load a departing ship with fuel, ice and supplies for the trip.

Ross