Lyr Add: Sandy the Plumber's Mate (Sandy Powell)

Subject: Lyr Add: SANDY, THE PLUMBER'S MATE (Sandy Powell)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Nov 18 - 08:10 AM

You can hear this song at YouTube:


SANDY, THE PLUMBER’S MATE – THE WASHER ON THE TAP*
As recorded by Sandy Powell (1931) on “Vintage British Comedy, Vol. 1” (2011).

I’m workin’ for a plumber; I’m a handy sort of chap.
Last Monday afternoon he shouted: “John,
Pop off at once to Guilford Street to Mrs Dixon's tap.
It’s leakin’ an’ it wants a washer on.”

He gave me the address and so I got me bag of tools
And started off to work without a grouse.
I found the street, but what do you think? Of all the bloomin’ fools!
I quite forgot the number of the house.

So I went and knocked at number one and rested on the step
And nursed me bag of tools upon me lap.
A woman said: “Poor man, you’re tired! Now tell me what you’d like.”
I said: “I’d like to put a washer on your tap.”

So I went and knocked at number two; I thought: “I won’t be beat.
I’ll either find the place or eat me cap.”
A chap came out and said: “I want the girl you stole from me!”
I said: “You’re wrong; you want a washer for your tap.”

I went and knocked at number three; a baby boy came out.
“You nice kind doctor,” said the little chap,
“Mommy says you’ve got a baby sister in your bag.”
I said: “I’ve not; I’ve got a washer for the tap.”

I went and knocked at number four; a Frenchy-looking bird
Took me upstairs and sat upon me lap.
She said: “Can you parlez-vous?” I said: “I can, but I’ve no time,
’Cause I’ve come to put a washer on the tap.”

So I went and knocked at number five and a weeping woman said:
“My husband! You’ve returned, you heartless chap!
I’ve shed my tears for fourteen years.” I said: “You’ll soon be right,
For I’ve come to put a washer on your tap.”

(I wish I’d ’a’ stopped at number four and done a bit of parlez-vou’in’.)

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* There was a series of records: “Sandy the Fireman,” “Sandy the Charabanc Driver,” “Sandy the Postman,” etc.

Discographical information at www.45worlds.com.