Lyr ADD: Boser Girls (Ashley Hutchings)

Subject: Lyr Req: Boser Girls
From: GUEST,Fiona
Date: 01 Sep 12 - 05:44 AM

Hi All, Looking for the lyrics for a sea song called Boser Girls - anyone know of it? Thanks Fiona

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Boser Girls
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Sep 12 - 06:46 AM

Hi, Fiona - I found two recordings on Spotify, and I'll transcribe one tomorrow if somebody doesn't beat me to it. I don't have time now. This is obviously a modern version of a traditional song. In fact, dare I say that it is a modern British version of a traditional American song?

I crosslinked a number of related songs - take a look up top for links.

-Joe-

Subject: ADD: Boser Girls (Ashley Hutchings)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Sep 12 - 02:03 AM

Note that I had trouble understanding a number of words. Help is appreciated.

BOSER GIRLS
(Ashley Hutchings)

Come all of you Boser girls and listen to my noise,
Don't you go with the colliery boys;
If you do, your lot will be
Years of neglect and misery,
Years of neglect and misery.

Oh, when you go a-courtin', better take along a chair,
Can't stand up for a fight or a fair (?)
Can't stand up at a bar or a match (?)
You used to go dancin', and now you sit and watch.
You used to go dancin', and now you sit and watch.

Oh, when you start out, it's the love bite's the chore,
After a while, it's the bend in your nose;
Patches appear as time goes by,
One for your blouse, and another for your eye.
One for your blouse, and another for your eye.

Oh, when he starts drinkin', better watch what you say,
Might as well spend what's left of his pay;
'Cause when he's laid off, it'll be much worse,
Just a big empty space in the middle of your purse.
Just a big empty space in the middle of your purse.

And when he comes home from the Markham pit, (?)
Ruddy and tired, better button your lip;
Meat on the table, fire in the grate,
While he's slumped on the table with a video date,
Slumped on the table with a video date.

Come all of you Boser girls and listen to my noise,
Don't you go with the colliery boys;
If you do, your lot will be
Years of neglect and misery,
Years of neglect and misery.


Transcribed by ear from the album Primary Colours by the women's group called "Chantan."

album notes for this song: Boser Girls (Ashley Hutchings) Written by Ashley Hutchings to celebrate the meeting of two Appalachian clog dancing teams, this dark song sounds a warning to all women about marriage - particularly to a miner going through hard times. Christine heard this from Zena Tubman, a singer from the north-east of England.

---

I also listened to a recording of the song by a New Zealand duo called "Forbidden Joe." Their album is called In Mourning for the Pride of Petravore.

This is what they had instead of the drinking verse:

When you go to Safeways, I'll tell you what to wear, (?)
A ragged coat, just about to tear;
A pair of boots with the heels worn down,
A pair of tights that your grandma brought 'round. (?)
A pair of tights that your grandma brought 'round.

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Boser Girls (Ashley Hutchings)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Sep 12 - 03:20 AM

So, what are Boser girls, anyhow?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Boser Girls (Ashley Hutchings)
From: GUEST,Richard
Date: 02 Sep 12 - 04:20 PM

As the miner works at Markham Pit, he probably live in nearby Bolsover, which is pronounced "Boser" or "Bozer" by locals (who ought to know!)

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Boser Girls (Ashley Hutchings)
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 02 Sep 12 - 04:35 PM

Of course, Richard! I should have twigged that as some of my relatives come from near there (Scarcliffe).

And Mr Hutchings lived near Chesterfield. Maybe he still does.

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Boser Girls (Ashley Hutchings)
From: nickp
Date: 03 Sep 12 - 03:58 AM

Bolsover it is - although I think Ashley has now moved to Sheffield.

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Boser Girls (Ashley Hutchings)
From: GUEST,wardie
Date: 11 Dec 12 - 08:28 AM

Glad its been posted first heard it years ago sung by Judy Collins who has also lived in derby

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Boser Girls (Ashley Hutchings)
From: GUEST,SFP
Date: 21 Jun 19 - 10:23 AM

These are the lyrics that my partner and I used to sing nearly 20 years ago:

BOSER GIRLS
(Ashley Hutchings)

Come all of you Boser girls and listen to my noise,
Don't you go with the colliery boys;
If you do, your lot will be
Years of neglect and misery,
Years of neglect and misery.

Oh, when you go a-courtin', take along your chair,
Can't stand up at a fight or a fair
Can't stand up at a bar or a match
You used to go dancin', now you sit and watch.
You used to go dancin', now you sit and watch.

Oh, when you start out, it's the love bite's the show,
After a while, it's the bend in your nose;
Patches appear as time goes by,
One for your blouse, and another for your eye.
One for your blouse, and another for your eye.

When you go to Safeways, I'll tell you what to wear,
Old leather coat, just about to tear;
A pair of boots with the heels worn down,
A pair of tights that you wear the month 'round. (?)
A pair of tights that your wear the month 'round.

And when he comes home from the Markham pit,
Ratty and tired, better button your lip;
Meat on the table and a fire in the grate,
Slumped on the sofa with a video date,
Slumped on the sofa with a video date.

Come all of you Boser girls and listen to my noise,
Don't you go with the colliery boys;
If you do, your lot will be
Years of neglect and misery,
Years of neglect and misery.

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Boser Girls (Ashley Hutchings)
From: Brian Peters
Date: 21 Jun 19 - 10:42 AM

It looks a lot like an update of 'West Virginia Girls' / 'If You Want to Go A-Courting' from the Appalachians, though hearing the tune would help to decide.