Lyr Req: Bold General Wolfe's Batman (Gorniak)

Subject: Lyr Req: General Wolfe's batman
From: fantum
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 04:53 PM

Last night at a folk club someone reccommended this song to me.
Sung to the tune of Brave Wolfe but obviously from a very different perspective. No other details to go on.Started by thinking it was a monologue but a visit to the make em laugh site came up with nothing.
Any ideas would be welcome

Fantum

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: General Wolfe's batman
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 08:27 PM

I am sure I have a set of lyrics to this at home, which is 150 miles away. Will try to find 'em next week if nothing else turns up.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: General Wolfe's batman
From: Snuffy
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 08:30 PM

This was written by Chris Gorniak (Middle Bar Singer and Shellback). I know that one other Shellback has sung it, but I don't know if Chris is happy to have it become general property. I will make enquiries.

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: General Wolfe's batman
From: Micca
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 03:19 PM

Snuffy, Chris did it at Towersey a couple of years ago, and brilliant it is too, If Chris is ok about putting it here let me know as have a copy from the "source"

Subject: Lyr Add: BOLD GENERAL WOLFE'S BATMAN (Cs Gorniak)
From: Micca
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 07:24 PM

Snuffy I spoke to Chris this evening and he said he would be delighted if we put it on here!! so here is the complete version I got from Chris , with recitative,

BOLD GENERAL WOLFE'S BATMAN
Chris Gorniak

SPOKEN INTRODUCTION (ad lib):
"You will all know of the many famous ballads of the old wars, extolling the virtues of the heroes of old (Benbow, Nelson etc.). Fewer songs exist describing the hardships of the common footsoldier. However you will be delighted to hear that, amongst my extensive researches in dusty attics, into ancient broadsides and black-letter ballads, I came across this little number, which serves to redress the balance a little. It's called: Bold Wolfe's Batman"

On Monday morning we made a start,
Our General looking exceeding smart,
Because his batman with tender care,
        Had pressed his clothing,
Had pressed his clothing,
And packed his uniform and underwear.

JOKE (ad lib):
"Just a technical note about that last verse. Way back in the 18th century, these fleet laundrymen, when they were on shore leave, used to roam about in groups looking for a bit of ironing to do. Of course, they eventually became known as the --- press-gang".

And when the battle it did begin
Our General Wolfe so boldly waded in,
'Oh Sir!' His batman cried, 'Pray have a care,
        Try not to splash it,
Try not to splash it,
Cause launderettes round here is very rare.'

The very first broadside it came quite near,
In fact it chopp-ed off our General's ear.
The blood flowed down which made his batman cry,
        'Oh Sir I'll never,
Oh Sir I'll never,
Oh Sir I'll ne'er wash out that crimson dye.'

The very next broadside we could plainly see
Removed our General's leg below the knee,
We heard his batman peevishly to say,
        I spent an hour,
I spent an hour,
An hour polishing that boot today.'

A cannon shot then took off his head,
Our General swayed which filled us all with dread,
His frantic batman did so loudly cry,
        'I've made your lunch Sir,
I've made your lunch Sir,
Pray drink some chicken soup before you die.'

Another broadside, closer than the rest,
It caught our General squarely in the chest,
His batman cried out 'Sir, I've done my best,
        But the shirt is ruined,
The shirt is ruined,
The shirt is ruined and so's the vest.'

The final broadside it caught him clean,
And shattered our General to smithereens.
Seeing this his batman furiously did cry,
        'That's it, I've had it!
That's it, I've had it!
Get yourself a new man, I resign, Goodbye!'

And when to England we did return,
We took so little of Wolfe's uniform,
A couple of buttons and of sleeve, a bit,
        Was all we salvaged,
Was all we salvaged,
Of that great hero's neatly laundered kit.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: General Wolfe's batman
From: fantum
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 07:51 PM

Many thanks Micca,Suffy and Leadfingers

Thanks for all your efforts and Micca would you please pass on my thanks to Chris Gorniak. Tommorow I will revise the tune and try to get the song run through. With any luck I should then know if I can do this grand set of words some justice. If it gets into the repertoire I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks again

Fantum

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: General Wolfe's batman
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 08:21 PM

It saved me rooting through a three inch thick pile of tatty bits of paper to find this Thanks Micca.