Subject: Lyr Add: MR WU'S A WINDOW CLEANER NOW (G Formby) From: Jim Dixon Date: 05 May 17 - 05:10 PM MR WU'S A WINDOW CLEANER NOW As recorded by George Formby, 17-Dec-1939. Mister Wu no longer has a laundry. Sad to say, the business was a flop. He shouted: "What a hope!" As he chewed a bar o' soap, And then put up the shutters of the shop. Said Mister Wu: "What shall I do?" And Mister Wu's a window cleaner now. The laundry it didn't pay. Now there's no clean collars down Limehouse way. When he goes out workin', int'rest he arouses, Polishin' the windows with worn-out ladies' blouses. He wears a pair of caminicks to save his Sunday trousers, 'Cause Mister Wu's a window cleaner now. Now little Chinese wifie each day is gettin' madder, Tearin' her silk stockin's, her husband makes her sadder. All day long he wants to keep on runnin' up the ladder, 'Cause Mister Wu's a window cleaner now. He had his eyesight tested, a most important matter. Through a bathroom window, a lady he peeks at 'er. His eyesight's getting' better but his nose is getting' flatter, 'Cause Mister Wu's a window cleaner now. Said Mister Wu: What shall I do?" And Mister Wu's a window cleaner now. The laundry it didn't pay. Now there's no clean collars down limehouse way. Customers he's washed for now are in bad humours. They've been quite neglected and I've heard the rumours. Lots of girls on winter nights go out without their—garters, 'Cause Mister Wu's a window cleaner now. |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE WINDOW CLEANER (NO. 2) (G Formby) From: Jim Dixon Date: 05 May 17 - 02:53 PM THE WINDOW CLEANER (NO. 2) As recorded by George Formby, 21-Mar-1937. You've heard about my capers when windows I've to clean. Now I'd like to tell you of a few more things I've seen. I've seen Miss Thompson, in her flat, Take off her shoes, her coat and hat. I've seen her take off more than that When I'm cleanin' windows. At a ladies' school I call, And one girl flirts with me and all, But I'm insured in case I fall When I'm cleanin' windows. All day up this ladder I'm as busy as can be. It's not my fault I see a lot of things I shouldn't see. To overcrowded flats I've been. Sixteen in one bed I've seen, With a lodger tucked up in between, When I'm cleanin' windows. Old soldiers never die, they say. Though I don't want to pass away, I kick the bucket ev'ry day When I'm cleanin' windows. Through workin' at such dizzy heights, I dream about my job at nights. I polish up my wife's thingummy-tights, And think I'm cleanin' windows. All day up this ladder I'm as busy as can be. It's not my fault I see a lot of things I shouldn't see. The newly-weds at number six, Somehow the curtains they can't fix. They play some lovely parlour tricks When I'm cleanin' windows. Now lots of girls I've had to jilt, All they admire the way I'm built, It's a good job I don't wear a kilt When I'm cleanin' windows. At the coronation I'll commence To work where crowds are very dense. I'll let my stand for eighteen pence Instead of cleanin' windows. And all day up this ladder I'm as busy as can be. It's not my fault I see a lot of things I shouldn't see. At eight o'clock a girl she wakes. At five past eight a bath she takes. At ten past eight my ladder breaks, When I'm cleanin' windows. |
Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: WHEN I'M CLEANING WINDOWS (Formby) From: IamNoMan Date: 12 Nov 14 - 11:23 PM WHEN I'M CLEANING WINDOWS Written by George Formby, Harry Gifford & Fred E. Cliffe Performed by George Formby in "Keep Your Seats Please" (1936) Now[C]I go window cleaning to [D7]earn an honest bob; [G7]For a nosey parker it's an interesting [C]job. [C]Now, it's a job that [C7]just suits me A [F]window cleaner [Cdim]you would be, If[C] you could see what [C7]I[C6] can [C]see [Cdim]When I'm cleaning [C]windows. [C]The honey-mooning [C7]couples too [F]You should see them [Cdim]bill and coo, [C]You'd be surprised at [C7]things [C6]they [C]do, [Cdim]When I'm cleaning [C]windows. In [E7]my profession I work hard [A7]But I'll never stop, I'll [D7]climb this blinking ladder til I [G7]get right to the top. The [C]blushing bride she [C7]looks divine, The [F]Bridegroom he is [Cdim]doing fine, I'd [C]rather have his [C7]job [C6]than [C]mine When I'm cleaning [C]windows. [C]The chamber maid sweet [C7]names I call [F]It's a wonder [Cdim]I don't fall My [C]mind's not on my [C7]work [C6]at [C]all [Cdim]when I'm cleaning [C]windows. [C]I know a fella, [C7}such a swell He [F] has a thirst it's [Cdim]plain to tell, I've [C]seen him drink his [C7]bath [C6]as [Cdim]well when I'm cleaning [C]windows. In [E7]my profession I work hard [A7]But I'll never stop, I'll [D7]climb this blinking ladder til I [G7]get right to the top. Py[C]jamas lying [C7]side by side [F]Ladies nighties [Cdim]I have spied I've [C]often seen what [C7]goes [C6]inside [Cdim]when I'm cleaning [C]windows. Now [C]there's a famous [C7]talkie Queen, [F]looks a flapper [Cdim]on the screen She's [C]more like eighty [C7]than [C6]eigh [C]teen [Cdim]When I'm cleaning [C]windows. She [C]pulls her hair all [C7]down behind [F]Then pulls down her - [Cdim]never mind And [C]after that pulls [C7]down [C6]the [C]blind [Cdim]When I'm cleaning [C]windows. In [E7]my profession I work hard [A7]But I'll never stop, I'll [D7]climb this blinking ladder til I [G7]get right to the top. An [C]old maid walks a[C7]round the floor, She's [C]so fed up one [Cdim]day I'm sure, She'll [C]drag me in and [C7]lock [C6]the [C]door [Cdim]When I'm cleaning [C]windows. [Cdim]When I'm cleaning [C]windows. This song first appeared in the movie "Keep Your Seats Please' (1936). Due to its racy lyrics the BBC banned it from the Radio. Queen Mary liked the song and "was not amused". The BBC relinquished its ban. This version is scored for Ukulele, (gCEA), in the key of C. When Formby played it on Banjolele it was in Key of D, (Banjoleles of the period were tuned aDF#B). - TPC |
Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: When I'm Cleaning Windows (Formby) From: GUEST Date: 29 Jun 12 - 05:39 AM MR WUS a window cleaner now starts in b flat minor |
Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: George Formby/Washing windows From: AndyG Date: 24 Jan 00 - 07:19 AM No credit is given on the link to the parody Reinstalling Windows which johnp posted. The credit should be to Les Barker.
AndyG |
Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: George Formby/Washing windows From: John in Brisbane Date: 23 Jan 00 - 06:57 PM In the UK there's a George Formby Society with quite good MIDis of his songs. I use WinJammer Pro (Shareware) to view the chords from the Rhythm channel. There's a very good book which provides the scores for a large number of George's songs - including this one. I'll try and get a copy of the score and extract the chords that Formby used. This won't be until end of this week. Regards, John |
Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: George Formby/Washing windows From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 23 Jan 00 - 03:17 PM COOKIE MONSTER got you, it would seem. |
Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: George Formby/Washing windows From: GUEST,Mike Billo Date: 23 Jan 00 - 02:47 PM Hey! Why am I a "GUEST"? I've been posting on the Mudcat a long time? |
Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: George Formby/Washing windows From: GUEST,Mike Billo Date: 23 Jan 00 - 02:45 PM In the days when performers made sequels to hit songs, Formby killed two birds with one stone and recorded "Mr. Wu's a Window Cleaner Now", as a sequel to both "When I'm Cleaning Windows", and "Chinese Laundry Blues". Unfortunately, I heard "Mr. Wu's a Window Cleaner Now" years before I heard "Chinese laundry Blues" or "When I'm Cleaning Windows", so the references made absolutely no sense whatsoever. In fact, I used to use "Mr. Wu's a Window Cleaner Now" as a catch phrase to describe any non sequitor or bit of surrealism. I was greatly disapointed to finally hear the two songs that preceded it, and find out that the "Mr. Wu..." actually meant something. Ha! Ha! |
Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: George Formby/Washing windows From: Musicman Date: 23 Jan 00 - 02:04 PM thanks all, great song..... |
Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN I'M CLEANING WINDOWS (Formby From: Tony Burns Date: 23 Jan 00 - 01:20 PM WHEN I'M CLEANING WINDOWS a.k.a. THE WINDOW CLEANER Performed by George Formby in the film "Keep Your Seats, Please!" (1936) As recorded by George Formby, 27-Sep-1936.
Now I go window cleanin' to earn an honest bob.
Now, it's a job that just suits me.
The chamber maid sweet names I call.
Now there's a famous talkie queen. When I'm cleanin' windows. |
Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: George Formby/Washing windows From: Mike Robertson Date: 23 Jan 00 - 01:03 PM If you have RealAudio, try this! -mike- |
Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: George Formby/Washing windows From: johnp Date: 23 Jan 00 - 04:01 AM Can't find the originals but here is a great parody |
Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: George Formby/Washing windows From: bbc Date: 22 Jan 00 - 02:25 PM From Bill Sables on bbc computer; The song you are looking for is " When I'm Cleaning Windows" If no'one gives you the words contact me after 1st Feb when I am back home and I will send them to you. Chers Bill |
Subject: George Formby/Washing windows From: Musicman Date: 22 Jan 00 - 02:15 PM Hi there, been asked to find a song, old British Music hall ( I think) sung by George Formby (I think), something about 'washing windows'...... Anybody have any clues???????? thanks |
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