Lyr Req/Add: Barefoot Days

Subject: Barefoot Days
From:
Date: 24 Oct 98 - 08:51 AM

Words to this song anyone?

Subject: RE: Barefoot Days
From: Brack&
Date: 24 Oct 98 - 08:58 PM

Haven't got the words, but I believe it's about Salford. Do you know if that's true? Mick Bracken

Subject: RE: Barefoot Days
From:
Date: 24 Oct 98 - 09:12 PM

Mick It could well be - I am from Liverpool and its a song an uncle used to sing but never knew all the words.

Subject: RE: Barefoot Days
From: Brack&
Date: 24 Oct 98 - 09:26 PM

I'll ask me mum tomorrow. She might know it. I think it was a Flanagan and Allen song. Mick Bracken (Altrincham)

Subject: Lyr Add: BAREFOOT DAYS
From: Brack&
Date: 26 Oct 98 - 07:10 AM

Well I asked me mum and this what she came up with.

BAREFOOT DAYS

In barefoot days, when we were just a couple of kids
In barefoot days, oh boy the things we did
We'd go down to a shady nook
With a bent pin for a hook
And we'd fish all day, and we'd fish all night
And the bloody old fish, refused to bite

We'd slide and slide, on some old cellar door
We'd slide and slide, til our pants got tore, a little more
Then we'd have to go home, and climb into bed
While our mother got busy with a needle and thread
Oh boy, what joy
We had in barefoot days

Regards Mick Bracken

Subject: RE: Barefoot Days
From: tdustdum
Date: 15 Nov 98 - 01:24 AM

Thanks Mick

Subject: Lyr Add: BAREFOOT DAYS
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 18 Mar 02 - 01:43 PM

This is a song I've been looking for, my grandmother, who was in vaudeville, used to sing it to us as a lullaby, I've found it listed in Barbershop Quartet books, as '1923, Wilson-Brennan (Moon)' I think Moon was the publisher. It showed up in the film Distant Voices, Still Lives, set in Britain in the 50's, so I know it has a British tradition as well as American, don't know which Wilson-Brennan they might be, we sang it in this American version:

Barefoot Days, when we were just a kid,
Barefoot Days, Oh boy the things we did
We'd go down to a shady brook
With a bent pin for a hook,
We'd fish all day; we'd fish all night
But the doggone fish refused to bite
And then we'd slide, down some old cellar door
We'd slide and slide till our pants got tore,
And then we'd have to go home
And get in our bed
While momma got busy with the needle and thread
Oh boy, what joy, we had in barefoot days.

And I think cellar doors are an American thing like the door over the root cellar in the 'Wizard of Oz', that Dorothy gets locked out of. It slopes and can indeed by slid down.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 16-Feb-03.

Subject: Lyr Add: BAREFOOT DAYS
From: Brakn
Date: 18 Mar 02 - 06:28 PM

Not sure if thesae are in the right order. Gathered from different versions.

Surely you remember those days that used to be
When your Dad and mother, they sang sweet songs to thee
We got all dressed up spick and span
And off to church we ran
But the very best days of all
Were when we had no shoes at all:-

Barefoot days, when we were just a couple of kids
Barefoot days, oh boy the things we did.
Down by a shady nook, with a bent pin for a hook.
We fished all day, we fished all night
But the blooming old fish refused to bite.
And off we'd slide, down some old cellar door
We'd slip and slide till our pants got tore, a little more
Then we'd have to go home, get into bed
While mother got busy with a needle and thread
Oh boy, what joy, we had in barefoot days.

I can remember how proud I used to be
When my dad and mother, they bought new shoes for me
Now that's the feeling you've all had
How new shoes could make you glad
But the time that you recall
Is when you wore no shoes at all

Those barefoot days, remember those days of long ago
Those barefoot days, remember all the kids you used to know
You'd all go out on a two mile hike, only rich kids had a bike
Take all day to find a tree to climb and get home way past supper time
And then your dad would send you off to bed
You'd have to stay and not get fed
Later that night while you were awake
Your mother would bring along some milk and some cake
Oh boy, what joy, we had in barefoot days.

I'd be so happy if I could only be
Back in my old home town in the days that used to be
Yes that was where we'd roam all day
Down by the brooks we used to play
They're the times that I recall
When I wore no shoes at all

Subject: RE: Barefoot Days
From: Ian Darby
Date: 18 Mar 02 - 09:18 PM

The Oldham Tinkers did a great version of this and my Mam and her sisters used sing it at family get togethers.

(Yes, we did sing around the piano, as in 'They don't write them like that anymore')

Thanks for reminding me....

Will post their version later, but most of the above is pretty close to the one I know.

Subject: RE: Barefoot Days
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 02:54 AM

Many thanks for this one! It's one of the old favourites which slipped somehow into the past.The first-posted version still comes easily; the second, longer version has the makings of a second similar verse. I'm about to revive it!! Boab

Subject: Lyr Add: BAREFOOT DAYS
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 11:33 AM

Barefoot Days
Al Wilson/ James A Brennan Old Songs Library (to A Swimmin'hole) 1923 Edwards B Marks Music Co

BAREFOOT DAYS

Verse: Surely you remember those days that used to be
When your Dad and mother, they sang sweet songs to thee
We got all dressed up spick and span and off to church we ran
But the very best days of all
Were when we had no shoes at all:-

CHORUS: Barefoot days, when we were just a couple of kids (Get your bowler out)
Barefoot days, oh boy the things we did.
Down by a shady nook, with a bent pin for a hook.
We fished all day, we fished all night
But the blooming old fish refused to bite.
And off we'd slide, down some old cellar door
We'd slip and slide till our clothes were tore, a little more
Then we'd have to go home, get into bed
While mother got busy with a needle and thread
Oh boy, what joy, we had in barefoot days.

It sounds pretty British in that version, though Wilson & Brennan were Americans as far as I know, they also wrote 'I'm Gonna Plant Myself in My Old Plantation Home' and 'Down by the Old Apple Tree', among others, Here is an Americanized version my grandmother, who was in vaudeville, taught me:

Barefoot Days, when we were just a kid
Barefoot Days, Oh boy the things we did
We'd go down to a shady brook with a bent pin for a hook,
We'd fish all day, we'd fish all night
But the doggone fish refused to bite
And then we'd slide, down some old cellar door
We'd slide and slide till our pants got tore,
And then we'd have to go home and get in our bed
While momma got busy with the needle and thread
Oh boy, what joy, we had in barefoot days.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Barefoot Days
From: GUEST,Jeanne in Philadelphia
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 12:59 AM

Hi there,

I've been searching for information about this song for some years now. I sang this song for a school contest when I was in the Fourth Grade. I grew up in East Falls in Philadelphia, PA USA. My Dad taught me the song. As it turns out, our family lineage is origionally from Yorkshire. So, it's interesting to me that there is another version of this song.

The one I learned is:

"Barefoot Days, when we were just some kids (just some dirty little kids)
Barefoot Days, but oh what fun we had.
We went to a shady nook, used a hairpin for a hook
Fished all day
and we fished all night
But the gosh darn fish just wouldn't bite.
So, now and then
we'd slide down the cellar door (the greasy cellar door)
We'd slide and slide 'til our backs got sore (or our pants got tore)
Then we went right home and went to bed
'til Momma gotta ready with a needle and thread
Oh boy,
what joy
We had in barefoot days. Ya dee da dee da dee dah!"

My daughter and I now sing this in the Nursing Homes in a Variety Show that we do that we call "Smile Songs and Puppy Wings".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Barefoot Days
From: GUEST,Alicia
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 10:48 AM

My Grandmother was from North East Philadelphia and sang the same version as Jeanne does. I have been singing that song since I was a little girl and now my daughter sings it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Barefoot Days
From:
Date: 24 Feb 05 - 10:39 AM

This is another "OLD" song, but I remember the very first verse as:

I can remember how proud I used to be.
When Dad and Mother would buy new shoes for me.
Now, that's a feeling you've all had.
How new shoes would make you glad.
But the best time that I recall.
Is when we had no shoes at all...

Barefoot Days, when we were just a kid
Barefoot Days, Oh boy the things we did
We'd go down to a shady brook with a bent pin for a hook,
We'd fish all day, we'd fish all night
But the darned old fish refused to bite
Then down we'd slide, down some old cellar door
We'd slide and slide till our pants got tore,
And then we'd have to go home and get in our bed
While momma got busy with the needle and thread
Oh boy, what joy, we had in barefoot days.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Barefoot Days
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 24 Feb 05 - 12:38 PM

Hear it in Realaudio in the Max Hunter Collection: Barefoot Days
In 1925, Wilson and Brennan wrote "Happy-Go-Lucky Days," a sort of sequel. Happy Go

"Down By the Old Swimming Hole," "Down By the Old Apple Tree" and "The Little Red Schoolhouse" were other popular favorites of these masters of nostalgia.

Al Wilson published music in New York (Al Wilson Music Publishing Co.).
These two were big in New York's 'Tin Pan Alley.' Their music also struck a chord in the British Isles and Ireland.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Barefoot Days
From: MR
Date: 24 Feb 05 - 01:25 PM

From memory, this is the Oldham Tinkers version:

I can remember how glad I used to be
When me mother or me father would buy new shoes for me
That's the feeling we all had
How new shoes would make you glad
But the best times you recall
Was when we had no shoes at all

In barefoor days
When we were just a couple of kids
In barefoot days
Oh boy, the things we did
We'd go down to Daisy Nook
With a bent for an 'ook
Then we'd fish all day, we'd fish all night
But the bloody old fish refused to bight

Then off we'd go down some old cellar door
We'd slide and slide
Til our pants got holed - a little more
Then we'd have to go home and lie in bed
Til our mother got busy with a needle and thread

Oh boy - what joy
We had in barefoot days


It makes me feel all wistful thinking about it.

Mike Ryan

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Barefoot Days
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 03:11 PM

bur where did Brakn get his extra verse from?

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Barefoot Days
From: Brakn
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 05:43 AM

Good question.

I'll have to dig deep.

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Barefoot Days
From: GUEST,may
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 01:44 PM

where can i get a copy of barefoot days

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Barefoot Days
From: pdq
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 02:06 PM

There is a great version on Bill Clifton's "Where The Rainbow Finds Its End" on ELF Records, numbered ELF CD 104. I bought my copy from County Sales which has the best in-stock collection of bluegrass and folk music in the US. Instrumental work by Art Stamper, Don Stover and Tom Gray. Lead vocal and rhythm guitar, Bill Clifton. Harmony vocal (lead vocal on two songs) is the great madolin player Jimmy Gaudreau (ex Tony Rice's group, et al).

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Barefoot Days
From: GUEST,connie94356
Date: 05 Jun 09 - 08:28 PM

My dad used to sing this old song but he added another stanza.

Take your little sweetheart by the hand
Oh my ain't love grand
Off for a picnic in the woods
Along came the cow from the nighborhood
Then you take a pail and your gonna be brave
Then you find out that the cow's name's Dave
Oh boy what joy we had in Barefoot Days.

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Barefoot Days
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 06 Jun 09 - 11:14 AM

East Yorkshire 1950s

Barefoot days, when we were just a couple of kids,
Barefoot days, oh boy, the things we did!
We'd go down to some shady nook,
With a bent pin for a hook
We'd fish all day, fish all night,
But the ruddy old fish refused to bite,

Then off we'd slide to?on? some old cellar door (Get yer booler out)
Slide and slide till our pants we tore,
Then we'd hurry off home, straight up to bed,
While mother got busy with the needle and thread,
Oh boy, what joy,
we had in barefoot days!

I'd always assumed 1920s American swing/ragtime.

Subject: Lyr Add: OH BOY! WHAT JOY WE HAD IN BAREFOOT DAYS
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Jun 09 - 12:49 AM

From the sheet music at The New York Public Library:


OH BOY! WHAT JOY WE HAD IN BAREFOOT DAYS
Words and music by Al Wilson & James A. Brennan.
New York: Edward B. Marks Music Co., 1923.
"Messrs. Lee and J. J. Shubert Production BOMBO with Al Jolson"
"Featured by the Three Wainwright Sisters"

1. I can remember how proud I used to be
When Dad or Mother would buy new shoes for me.
That's a feeling you've all had:
How new shoes can make you glad;
But the best time, if you recall,
Was when you wore no shoes at all.

CHORUS: Barefoot days, when you were just a kid,
Barefoot days, oh, boy! The things you did!
You'd go down to a shady nook
With a bent pin for a hook,
Fish all day, fish till night,
But the darned old fish refused to bite.
Then how you'd slide down some old cellar door.
You'd slide and slide till your pants got "tore,"
Then you'd have to go home and stay in your bed
Till Mother got busy with the needle and thread.
Oh, boy! What joy we had in barefoot days!

2. We were so happy till Sunday came along.
That was the one day when ev'rything seemed wrong.
All dressed up as stiff as starch,
Off to church we had to march,
And no wonder we had the blues,
Because we had to wear our shoes.

PATTER: [The tune of this part resembles TURKEY IN THE STRAW.]
Take your little sweetheart by the hand.
Oh, gee, but ain't love grand?
Off for the picnic in the wood.
Along comes the gang from the neighborhood.
Take your little box that's full of lunch.
Like a sly old fox, sneak away from the bunch,
Over the hill,
Like Jack and Jill,
But you don't go for water.
Find a quiet spot, not a soul around,
Spread the lunch all over the ground.
When you turn around, you nearly die.
There's a cow in the middle of your custard pie.
You get a milk pail; you're gonna be brave,
And then you find out the cow's name is "Dave."
Oh, boy! What joy we had in barefoot days!

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Barefoot Days
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Jun 09 - 01:02 AM

You can play an mp3 file made from an Edison Diamond Disk of Billy Jones (who often performed with his partner Ernest Hare as "The Happiness Boys"—but not this time) singing OH BOY WHAT JOY WE HAD IN BAREFOOT DAYS by clicking here--or go here to see the web page where I found it, at Aardvark Mastering.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Barefoot Days
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Feb 16 - 05:28 AM

Barefoot days when you and I were a couple of kids
Barefoot days and all the things that we did
we go down to the shady nook
and we would fish in the babbling brook
fish all day Pfish all night
but the gosh darn Pfish refused to bite
so we would go and climb on someone's backyard wall
we'd climb until Are pants got torn
then we'd all go home and we'd have to go to bed
while mom got out the needle and thread
oh boy what joy we had in barefoot days

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Barefoot Days
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 10 Feb 16 - 05:48 AM

When the Marsden Rattlers were playing regularly with Bob Davenport,
(1968- 1972 or so) Bob would invariably include this song in the pub sessions which were much more fun than most of the folk clubs & festivals we did. He'd do mainly what last guest has entered, but as a set with 'Heart of my Heart' which I think has been adapted to a traditional event in East Anglia as part of the folk process. and why not, good songs both.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Barefoot Days
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Feb 16 - 05:08 AM

and the wonderful Oldham Tinkers recorded it, of course

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Barefoot Days
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 11 Feb 16 - 07:49 AM

One that my mum used to sing.

Brought back to me in later days when Lal and Norma Waterson would occasionally give it an airing - sometimes for a bit of fun and sometimes with real intent. Great stuff.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Barefoot Days
From: GUEST,roy pimblett
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 12:55 AM

barefoot days a song

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Barefoot Days
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Nov 18 - 10:01 PM

Here's a string band rendition of the song by "Sparkey's Strummers":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBrgmRvSjbI

And here's a rendition by a group called "Blueberry Hill," which may or may not be the same song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxXnYIsONi8

And a 1924 Edison recording by an unidentified artist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9LAqbU3KTI