Origins: Oh, a Sewer Man Am I

Subject: Origins: Oh, a Sewer Man Am I
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 May 20 - 12:32 AM

Anybody know where this comes from? I understand Barry Finn used to sing it.

Oh, A Sewer Man Am I

Oh, a [C] sewer man am I and my [F] trade I deftly [C] ply,
As [F] underneath the [C] city streets I [G7] go.
And my [C] hope for paradise, is to [F] wade up [Dm] to my [G7] thighs,
Oh, I'm [F] glad I'm [G7] working down [C] below. —–––––––– CHORUS
CHORUS: [F] Down below, down [C] below,
Oh, it's dark but it's home to me, you [G7] know,
It's the [C] only place, I find, I can [F] get some [Dm] peace of [G7] mind
Yes I'm [F] glad I'm [G7] working down be [C] low.
There are [C] rules to the trade that [F] have to be o-[C]-beyed,
And [F] every movement [C] must be made just [G7] so.
You must [C] watch how you stand, and [F] where you [Dm] put your [G7] hand,
Still I'm [F] glad I'm [G7] working down be-[C]-low. ---–——–––––––--–––––––-- CHORUS
There was [C] cause for alarm at a [F] local sewage [C] farm,
A [F] man fell down a [C] pit some years [G7] ago.
Since the [C] accident occurred he's been [F] lying [Dm] there in- [G7] -terred,
Oh, I'm [F] glad I'm [G7] working down be-[C]-low. --—–––––––––––––----–––---CHORUS
Oh, in [C] Paris I have found they take [F] tourists under- [C] -ground,
And [F] even charge a [C] small fee for the [G7] show.
While in [C] Venice I've heard tell they float [F] boats on [Dm] them as [G7] well,
Oh, I'm [F] glad I'm [G7] working down be-[C]-low. ---—––––––-—–——–-—-–- CHORUS
It’s a [C] wonderful life, you can [F] hide here from your [C] wife,
And [F] leave behind your every [C] care and [G7] woe.
I may [C] be a sewer rat but I'm [F] not to [Dm] be sniffed [G7] at.
Oh, I'm [F] glad I'm [G7] working down be-[C]-low. --—––-––—––-–––––-––––-- CHORUS

http://www.ukulele-joe.co.uk/books/ujvol2.pdf

Subject: RE: Origins: Oh, a Sewer Man Am I
From: GUEST
Date: 18 May 20 - 01:22 AM

Reminiscent of Down Below by Sydney Carter:

Ian Wallace sings Down Below

LFF

Subject: RE: Origins: Oh, a Sewer Man Am I
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 19 May 20 - 01:39 PM

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M GLAD I'M WORKING DOWN BELOW (Garrett)
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 04:06

I think that's what you're looking for.

Subject: RE: Origins: Oh, a Sewer Man Am I
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 19 May 20 - 03:00 PM

Thread #34913   Message #481037
Posted By: Joan from Wigan
11-Jun-01 - 04:06 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Sewer songs
Subject: Lyr Add: I'M GLAD I'M WORKING DOWN BELOW (Garrett)

I'M GLAD I'M WORKING DOWN BELOW
(Words & Music by John M Garrett)

1. Oh, a sewerman am I
And my trade I deftly ply
As underneath the city streets I go
And my hope for paradise
Is to wade up to my thighs
Oh, I'm glad I'm working down below

CHORUS: Down below, down below
Oh, it's dark but it's home to me, you know
It's the only place, I find,
I can get some peace of mind
Yes I'm glad I'm working down below

2. There are rules to the trade
That have to be obeyed
And every movement must be made just so
You must watch just where you stand,
And just where you put your hand
Still I'm glad I'm working down below

3. There was cause for alarm
At a nearby sewage farm
When a man fell down a pit some years ago
Since the accident occurred;
He's been lying there interred
Oh, I'm glad I'm working down below

4. Oh, in Paris I have found
They take tourists underground
And even charge a small fee for the show
While in Venice I've heard tell
They sail boats on it as well
Oh, I'm glad I'm working down below

5. Oh, it is a wonderful life,
You can hide here from your wife
And leave behind your every care and woe
I may be a sewer rat,
But I'm not to be sniffed at
Oh, I'm glad I'm working down below

Subject: RE: Origins: Oh, a Sewer Man Am I
From: cnd
Date: 19 May 20 - 03:27 PM

The earliest publication I can find of the song is in Folk song to-day, No. 4, ed. Tony Wales, in 1970 (link)

That booklet apparently contains the "Lyrics, musical notation of the melodies, chord letters, and origins of each song. Contains both traditional and modern songs."

Subject: RE: Origins: Oh, a Sewer Man Am I
From: GUEST,Howard Jones
Date: 19 May 20 - 07:06 PM

Jim Garrett was a stalwart of Blackmore Folk Club in Essex (UK) and was noted for his rocket-shaped guitar. He wrote many humorous songs, some of which appeared in a slim booklet "Jim's Yolk Songs" published by EFDSS Publications. A great bloke.

Subject: RE: Origins: Oh, a Sewer Man Am I
From: Gda Music
Date: 22 May 20 - 03:39 PM

Calypso, although not likely to have much of a Mudcat Folk musical interest does at least as in this case, follow the requested topic.

https://lordinvestor.net/a-song-for-the-sewers/

GJ