Lyr Req: I Do Like A S'Nice S'Mince S'Pie

Subject: Lyr Req: Snice smince spie
From: Thompson
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 05:34 AM

In Robert Graves' memoir of the Great War he mentions various hits of the time. Most seem to be lost to history - like this one:

And I never get a knock
When the boys call Cock
Cockety ock, ock
Cock Robin!
In my old red vest I mean to cut a shine...

(I mean, does anyone say "cut a shine" any more?)

As he waited for five hours to make a hopeless attack across No Man's Land on some German trenches, Graves kept singing:

S'nice smince spie
S'nice smince spie...
I don't like ham, lamb or jam
And I don't like roley poley

But when I see a snince smince spie
I asks for a helping twice.

Is there an aged 'Catter whose 99-year-old grandpa used to creak out this song on Armistice Day, remembering when he was young, handsome, brave and foolish, and following his officers' orders to charge through gas at equally young, handsome, brave and foolish boys and men on the opposite side?

(I was talking to someone the other day who posited that the disastrous series of wars on European soil throughout the 20th century was our Civil War. A theory that rings absolutely true.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Snice smince spie
From: Thompson
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 07:04 AM

Hmm, found a version of it in the British Library's online archive of traditional music in England.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Snice smince spie
From: GUEST,999
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 09:14 PM

"He may have been related to Worton David, librettist of many musicals of the post-1914 era and co-composer of revue songs such as I Want to be Somebody's Baby, I Do Like a S'Nice S'Mince S'Pie, I Want to Sing in Opera and The Rest Of the Day's Your Own. Christabel Marillier rose to at least modest fame with her music for The Rose and the Ring (1928), a light opera/musical fantasy after Thackeray, similar to a ballad opera in style, which was premiered at Eastbourne then reached the West End (Apollo, then the Playhouse) for 52 outings. Malcolm Sargent conducted some of the earlier performances; in 1929 it was revived at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith under Alfred Reynolds. Marillier was, seemingly, virtually a "one work" composer, but songs like The Lent Lily did achieve publication."


Found on the www.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Snice smince spie
From: GUEST,999
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 09:20 PM

Oh I do like a s'nice s'mince s'pie! Oh I do like a s'nice s'mince s'pie! Oh I do like a s'nice s'mince s'pie! Don't like lamb, ham or jam, And I don't like roly poly. But when I see a s'nice s'mince s'pie, Then I ask for a helping twice, For I do like a s'nice s'mince s'pie, 'Cos It's s'nice, s'nice, s'nice!

from



http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:U_3SW13l8ycJ:library.mcmaster.ca/archives/exhibitions/WorldWar/lyrics.htm+%22Tipperaryland%


The lyrics above are from the medley entitled Tipperaryland--scroll down the page.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Snice smince spie
From: GUEST,999
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 09:30 PM

I Do Like A S'Nice S'Mince S'pie--Worton David and Bert Lee, 20th Century Songs

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Snice smince spie
From: GUEST,999
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 09:31 PM

Category
20th Century Songs
Title
I Do Like A S'Nice S'Mince S'pie
Stock Reference Number
66475
Composer
Worton David and Bert Lee
Artist Featured on the Cover
Jay Laurier
Publisher
The Star Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
Description
© 1914, Fair condition - Spine Detached - otherwise good condition
Price
£ 11



Info from the Sheetmusic Warehouse

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Snice smince spie
From: Thompson
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 02:35 AM

Thank you, 999!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Snice smince spie
From: GUEST,999
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 03:28 AM

You're most welcome.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Do Like A S'Nice S'Mince S'Pie
From: Billy Weeks
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 10:31 AM

Returning to the opening posting, the 'cock robin' song quoted by Graves is 'Robin Redbreast', published by Francis Day and Hunter in 1909 and sung by Harry Champion, who recorded it on the John Bull label in 1910. Kilgarriff, for once, is a touch misleading, listing two different 'Robin Redbreasts' (common enough name) under different headings, one of them an unrelated sentimental song by Claribel. I haven't checked, but he may have made the distinction clear later on his website. Kilgarriff remains the best starting point for anyone trying to track down a music hall song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Do Like A S'Nice S'Mince S'Pie
From: Bainbo
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 12:36 PM

Cosmotheka revived that Robin redbreast song a few years ago. From memory, the chorus and one of the verses went:

I never get the knock
When the boys shout: "Cock
Cockety-ock-cock
Cock Robin!"
In me old red vest I mean to cut a shine
And walking down the street they call me "Danger On The Line"
But the more they call me Robin Redbreast, I'll wear it longer still
I will have a red waiscoat, I will -
I will, I will, I will, I will, I will

Well some funny things have happened, I can tell you on the bright.
Standing on the corner of the street the other night
Waiting for a bus 'cause I intended going south,
A fellow came along and he popped a letter in me mouth.
Well, "I'm no letter box," I said, "Remember that."
And just as he was grinning at me like a Cheshire cat,
A postman he came on the scene and drove me up the pole -
He dropped his sack and stuck his key right in me button 'ole

But I never get the knock ...


There are other verses relating similar hilarious incidents. But I can't remember them.

Subject: RE Robin Redbreast
From: GUEST,Phil
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 12:41 PM

Verse 1
Have you ever seen a robin sitting in a tree
My old gal will av it thats where I ought to be
When I don me red vest the colour of me nose
It started as a tit protector goodness how it grows
I,m all there when I,m strolling up the west
The girls they come and tickle me and rub me on the chest
They make a regular fuss of me they say I look a don
I always get in trouble when I put me waistcoat on

Chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Do Like A S'Nice S'Mince S'Pie
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 03:18 PM

The British Library [London] has the sheet music, described thus:

I DO LIKE A S'NICE S'MINCE S'PIE. <Song.>
Written and composed by W. David and B. Lee.

Author: Worton David; Bert Lee
Publisher: London : Star Music Publishing Co, [1914]
Edition/Format: Musical score


The State Library of Queensland [Brisbane, Australia] has the sheet music in another format:

Feldman's album of song memories no. 3: containing a selection of popular songs of the past: complete with words, music and tonic sol-fa.

Publisher: London: B. Feldman, ©1948.
Edition/Format: Musical score : English

Other Titles: Down Texas way., How 'ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm., I do like a s'nice s'mince s'pie., I don't care what becomes of me., I wonder if you miss me sometimes., If you're Irish come in-to the parlour., I'm twenty-one today., In the evening by the moonlight, dear Louise., Just a wee Deoch-an-Doris., The mansion of aching hearts., My heart is with you tonight., They all walk the Wibbly Wobbly Walk., Waltz me around again, Willie., We used to gather at the Old Dun Cow., We're Irish and proud of it too., Where the Black-eyed Susans grow.


I don't believe either is viewable online.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Do Like A S'Nice S'Mince S'Pie
From: GUEST,Anon
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 05:37 AM

Verse 3

It comes in very handy so I've heard the missus say.
She hangs it in the garden just to keep the cats away.
And when she goes to sleep at night, she hangs it on the bed.
She loves to warm her feet against its lovely glowing red.
One foggy night I saw a building all alight.
A policeman he comes rushing up to me with all his might.
Took me for a fire alarm, that's what he did require,
He bashed my face and pulled my nose and started shouting fire.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Do Like A S'Nice S'Mince S'Pie
From: GUEST,999
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 05:41 AM

My Old Red Vest

Did you ever see a robin sitting on a tree?
My old gal would have it that is what I ought to be,
Cause I always wear a red vest, the color of my nose,
Used to be a chest protector, goodness how it glows.
I'm all there when strolling out the West.
The girls will come and tickle me and stroke me on the chest.
They make a regular fuss of me, and say you're looking don.
I always get in trouble every time I put it on.

Chorus
I never get the knocker when the boys shout cock, cockly, cock, cock robin
With my old red vest I mean to cut shine.
Walking down the street, they call me danger on the line.
And the more they call out robin red breast, I'll wear it longer still.
I will have a red waistcoat, I will,
I will, I will, I will, I will, I will.

It comes in very handy so I've heard the missus say.
She hangs it in the garden just to keep the cats away.
And when she goes to sleep at night, she hangs it on the bed.
She loves to warm her feet against its lovely glowing red.
One foggy night I saw a building all alight.
A policeman he comes rushing up to me with all his might.
Took me for a fire alarm, that's what he did require,
He bashed my face and pulled my nose and started shouting fire.

Some funny things have happened, I can tell you right.
Standing on the corner on the street the other night,
I was waiting for a bus, I intended going south,
A fellow came along and stuck a letter in my mouth.
Well "I'm no letterbox," I said, "Remember that."
Just as he was grinning at me like a Cheshire cat.
A postman he comes on the scene and fairly up the pole,
He drops his bag and shoves his key right in my buttonhole.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Do Like A S'Nice S'Mince S'Pie
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 12:39 PM

That seems to be the same song as ROBIN REDBREAST, recorded by Harry Champion in 1910. Follow the link for the lyrics. There is a further link to a recording on YouTube.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Do Like A S'Nice S'Mince S'Pie
From: GUEST,theswick
Date: 19 Nov 11 - 04:36 AM

The first verse of the mince pie song goes:-

"I went round to parliament, I'd been sent there to dust it.
Found a meeting on inside,
One young man got up and cried,
Matters we'll no longer mince,our country must be lead,
We'll not mince matters no said I,
We'll all mince pies instead"

Chorus;
Second verse.

"I've a girl friend all my own, there's no one else will have her,
Her face Ive not tasted yet, It's so slobbery and so wet,
(I dont know the start of this line), she came up to my side,
What is the thing that you like best?
I grinned and then replied.

Chorus;

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Do Like A S'Nice S'Mince S'Pie
From: GUEST,999
Date: 12 Sep 12 - 12:11 PM

http://sounds.bl.uk/World-and-traditional-music/Traditional-music-in-England/025M-C1023X0058XX-2000V0

20 seconds of it at that site.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Do Like A S'Nice S'Mince S'Pie
From: GUEST,LYRIC ADD
Date: 12 Sep 12 - 12:22 PM

BINGO





I DO LIKE A S'NICE, S'MINCE, S'PIE

I'm so fond of what I like,
And what I like, I like it
Some like this, and some like that
Some like lean, and some like fat
Some like pudding, some like pie
With which to fill their phiz
But there's one thing I like best
I'll tell you what it is

Chorus: Oh I do like s'nice s'pince s'pie
Oh I do like s'nice s'pince s'pie
Don't like lamb, ham or jam
And I don't like roly-poly
But when I see a s'nice s'pince s'pie
Then I ask for a helping twice
For I do like a s'nice s'pince s'pie
'Cos it's s'nice, s'nice, s'nice

I've a sweetheart all my own,
There's no one else would have her
Her face I've not tasted yet
It's so slobbery and so wet
We sat in the Park, last night
She nudged my arm and sighed
'What do you like the best of all?'
I grinned, and then replied

Chorus:

Once I went to Parliament
I'd been sent there to dust it
Found a meeting on inside
One young member loudly cried
'Matters we'll no longer mince
Our country must be led
We can't mince matters' I said 'No
Lets all mince pies instead'

Chorus:

#######################################

http://monologues.co.uk/musichall/Songs-I/I-Do-Like-A-Snice-Spince-Spie.htm


The above lyrics are from that site, except for BINGO of course.

Subject: ADD: I Do Like A S'Nice S'Mince S'Pie
From: GUEST,999
Date: 12 Sep 12 - 12:31 PM

BINGO





I DO LIKE A S'NICE, S'MINCE, S'PIE

I'm so fond of what I like,
And what I like, I like it
Some like this, and some like that
Some like lean, and some like fat
Some like pudding, some like pie
With which to fill their phiz
But there's one thing I like best
I'll tell you what it is

Chorus: Oh I do like s'nice s'pince s'pie
Oh I do like s'nice s'pince s'pie
Don't like lamb, ham or jam
And I don't like roly-poly
But when I see a s'nice s'pince s'pie
Then I ask for a helping twice
For I do like a s'nice s'pince s'pie
'Cos it's s'nice, s'nice, s'nice

I've a sweetheart all my own,
There's no one else would have her
Her face I've not tasted yet
It's so slobbery and so wet
We sat in the Park, last night
She nudged my arm and sighed
'What do you like the best of all?'
I grinned, and then replied

Chorus:

Once I went to Parliament
I'd been sent there to dust it
Found a meeting on inside
One young member loudly cried
'Matters we'll no longer mince
Our country must be led
We can't mince matters' I said 'No
Lets all mince pies instead'

Chorus:

#######################################

http://monologues.co.uk/musichall/Songs-I/I-Do-Like-A-Snice-Spince-Spie.htm


The above lyrics are from that site, except for BINGO of course.