Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)

Subject: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes too Late
From: GUEST,Lucius
Date: 02 Jul 06 - 07:38 PM

The very, very late Harry Clifton was the composer.

I had posed this query, wrapped in an older thread, but I thought that I would get more response if I were more specific.

...and I don't want to be a bother, so I'll just pop around later for a (hopeful) response.
Gotta run, you can probably guess why.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes too Late
From: Kaleea
Date: 03 Jul 06 - 03:03 PM

I couldn't find the lyrics, & the only info I've found on the web about Clifton is the following,

"Harry Clifton was a London music-hall writer and performer who popularised such songs as 'On Board the Kangaroo' and 'Pulling Hard Against The Stream'."

which was at:

http://www.sceilig.com/wrestling_with_rats.htm

Perhaps you might contact them to see if they know of the song.

You might find more info at a library.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes too Late
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 03 Jul 06 - 03:20 PM

Will keep looking, Lucius. A local man here (Cork, Ireland) used to sing it at a weekly singaround but sadly he passed away a couple of years ago. I think a couple of the others from that group might have got the words off him, so will ask when I see them next. If I do lay hands on it I'll either put it in the DT or resurrect this thread. The only bit of it I can remember (if we're talking about the same song) is the refrain:

Punctuality's all very proper I know
But all hurry and worry I hate
[?? It's always the case that] wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: GUEST,Lucius
Date: 03 Jul 06 - 09:28 PM

Thanks, both Bonnie Shaljean and Kaleea.

...and yes, that's the song. I've been able to pick most of them off an old label-less tape, but some of the words are obliterated. I got the melody as well; perhaps I'll transcribe a midi if the words can get set to rights.

Cheers,

Lucius

TEN MINUTES TOO LATE
Harry Clifton (1824-1872)

O, there's some fidgety [pocket?] that all of us know
Have a habit of being out too soon
For that two o'clock dinner or four o'clock tea
They always show up around noon.

Such a whimsical fancy I ne'er call my own
As [the curse?] has decided my fate.
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late.

Punctuality's all very proper I know
All the hurry and worry I hate,
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late

I was once in my life very deeply in love
When I courted in verse and in prose.
I obtained a big lock of her hair [from the glove?]
And I made up my mind to propose.

Well the car drove away as I called to the door
And the answer decided my fate,
For my rival was there just ten minutes before
And I was ten minutes too late.

Punctuality all very proper I know
All the hurry and worry I hate,
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late

If I jump on a horse or a tram or a car
To be nicely in time for a train
I get all in a fever and quite in [a fog?]
And I find that my efforts' in vain.

[I stop in a pub and I?] taste a glass
And believe that that it's five minutes to wait.
I observe by the clock that it's five minutes past
And that I am ten minutes too late.

Punctuality all very proper I know
All the hurry and worry I hate,
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late

O I could sing for a month if I [tolled?] it a song
The misfortunes I've had to endure,
For this habit's that haunt me all my life long
For will haunt till death being sure.

As my [physical?] career it approach its end
And I lie in a critical state,
No matter what physics the doctor may send
Won't he send them ten minutes too late.

Punctuality all very proper I know
All the hurry and worry I hate,
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late.

---

Click to play

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Jul 06 - 10:44 AM

For what it's worth, a tune called TEN MINUTES TOO LATE, arranged for piano, is at The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music (near the bottom of the page) as part of a medley called THE TOOTLES QUADRILLE, arranged by Frank Musgrave, no date.

You'll have to see for yourself whether it's the right tune.

---

Click to play

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 06 Jul 06 - 06:56 PM

It didn't look like it from the quick glance I had, but must admit that I was in a bit of a rush (in danger of being ten minutes too late getting somewhere!) so it could have been buried in that medley somewhere. But as far as I could see, none of the music in that set matched the tune as I heard it in Ireland. The Levy's Collection's great, though, isn't it? A real box of gems -

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: Lucius
Date: 08 Jul 06 - 02:22 PM

The tune that is part of the medley is different than the one that I heard. In fact they could be mirror retrogrades, if that ever happens as part of the folk process. Looks like a nice tune. I could post a midi, if I can figure out how.

---

Click to play

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Jul 06 - 03:34 AM

One of my friends sings a shorter version of this song, so I'll ask her if she can fill in any blanks.

sandra

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: GUEST,jane in Sydney
Date: 10 Jul 06 - 01:16 AM

Here are the words as recorded by the late Jimmy Gregory

TEN MINUTES TOO LATE - Harry Clifton (1824-1872)

some fidgety folks I always have known
Who are famous for being out too soon
For that two o'clock dinner or four o'clock tea
They always turn up around noon.

Such whimsical fancy I ne'er call my own
Although the reverse is my fate.
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late.

Punctuality is all very proper I know
and all hurry and worry I hate,
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late

I was once in my life very deeply in love
When I courted in verse and in prose.
I obtained me alock of her hair and a glove
And I made up my mind to propose.

Well the cab drove away as I knocked on her door
And the answer decided my fate,
For my rival had been just ten minutes before
So that I was ten minutes too late.

Punctuality is all very proper I know
and all hurry and worry I hate,
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late

When I jump on a tram or I hop on a bus
To be nicely in time for a train
Well I'm all in a fever and quite in a fuss
Though I know that my efforts' in vain.

For when I arrive at the station at last
And I think it five minutes to eight
I observe by the clock that it's five minutes past
So that I am ten minutes too late.

Punctuality is all very proper I know
and all hurry and worry I hate,
For it always occurs that wherever I go
I'm exactly ten minutes too late

I could sing for a month if I tore into song
Of the misfortunes I've had to endure,
For this this curse is has haunted me all my life long
And will haunt till death I am sure.

When this fitful career is approaching its end
And I lie in a critical state,
Sure No matter what physics the doctor may send
He'll send them ten minutes too late.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 Jul 06 - 08:55 AM

oops, I thought it was shorter!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: Lucius
Date: 10 Jul 06 - 01:42 PM

Thanks, I can stop pulling my hair out.

Was Jimmy Gregory an Aussie phenom? I can't find record of him when I google.
If I could figure out how to post a MIDI from my Mac, I'd ask you if it's the same melody.

Cheers,

Lucius

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Jul 06 - 08:40 AM

Jimmy Gregory was Australian, I think he came from the Illawarra, about 100miles south of Sydney.

Why not post on The Mudcat Help & Trouble Forum someone will know how to post MIDIs from a Mac

sandra (Mac user but not at all technically inclined)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: Lucius
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 01:31 PM

Thanks for the link, if I ever knew how to contact the help forum, I've long forgotten.

Joe Offer is going to post the midi that I sent him, assuming that it gets there in one piece. Where it will be posted, I dunno, but I'll be watching.

BTW, do you know any morris dancers in Australia? We had one visit a couple of years ago, he knew Bleddington and was tons of fun. I think that his name was Bruce.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 09:06 AM

yes! I'm acquainted with 2 sides - the Sydney Morris Men & Black Joak. Jane's husband is a member of Black Joak

Unlike JennyO I do not get up before sparrow-chirp on May Day & join Black Joak as they dance in the year!

Black Joak check out the links for other morris stuff.

At the National Folk Festival at Easter we had sides from 4 or 5 states - that really was a mass of Morris.

sandra

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: JennyO
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 12:31 PM

Sandra, I didn't make it to Mayday this year either :-(

I think your Black Joak link might be old. Here's one that works - Black Joak Morris

And here's a link to the Australian Morris Ring which might help. I've noticed that the Sydney Morris Men's site is not up, but you are redirected to an article about the Wheeze and Suck Band, some of whom are in the Sydney Morris Men. John Milce or Ian Macintosh would be the ones to contact.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: GUEST,Fiona Sydney
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 08:53 AM

From what I hear Jimmy Gregory was born in Glasgow but was active in the Australian folk scene since 1983. I have found a link to him in an Irish music site

http://mag.irish-music.net/BckIssue/9708Aug/Gregory.htm

I did not know he was "the late" Jimmy Gregory but I have one of his albums called West along the Road. Great Stuff.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Jul 06 - 02:56 AM

Thanks to Lucius for the MIDI.

---

Click to play

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: GUEST,Jane in Sydney
Date: 19 Jul 06 - 06:41 PM

Sorry Sandra, but you're dreaming! Jimmy was originally from Scotland. He stayed in Wollongong for a while, because he used to play with Lindsay Martin (the fiddle player you often see with Enda Kenny). His album was recorded in Hobart and I think he lived in Tasmania. (Ask the Fagans - they'll know for sure. They were friends of his - and do the harmonies on 10 Minutes Too Late). His album is called West Along the Road.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: GUEST,susan
Date: 20 Jul 06 - 07:14 AM

i just did a search for jimmy gregory and ended up seeing all these messages about Ten Minutes Too Late. what does everyone want to know - i probably have the answers.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 20 Jul 06 - 07:37 AM

Oh wow...I found my 'theme song' at last.....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: Artful Codger
Date: 23 May 10 - 10:03 PM

When I was searching for some original score of the music, the only bit I could find online was a short section in a quadrille called "Toodles", by Frank Musgrave. Each section was titled, implying that Musgrave simply arranged popular tunes to form the quadrille. However, it was published by Clifton's main publisher, Hopwood and Crew, which leads me to believe that it was either used by or taken from Clifton's song. The tune popularly sung is an entirely different tune, so I'm wondering whether the popular tune was fit to the song later, or whether it was the tune Clifton published in his sheet music, and the quadrille bit is just a coincidental red herring.

Below is an ABC transcription of the tune in the quadrille. You can view the full score at the Lester S. Levy Collection.

X: 1
T: Ten Minutes Too Late
T: Titled movement of the "Toodles" Quadrille
C: Frank Musgrave
S: Sheet music for "Toodles" Quadrille; Hopwood and Crew 1859
N: This is possibly the tune Harry Clifton used for his song.
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
Q: 3/8=92
K: C
(ef | gab {d'}c'bc') | (ba)a a2 a | add d(g>a) | g3-g2 g |
%
gab {d'}c'd'c' | (ba)a a2a | (gag fe>d) | c3-c2 ||

Subject: Lyr/Tune Add: TEN MINUTES TOO LATE (Harry Clifton)
From: Artful Codger
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 07:20 PM

Here is the original Harry Clifton version:


TEN MINUTES TOO LATE
   Composed and sung by Mr. Harry Clifton.

Certain fidgetty folks we have all of us met,
   Who are famous for bing too "soon"
For a two o'clock dejeuner a la fourchette,
   They are safe to run up about noon.
Punctuality's all very proper I know;
   But all hurry and worry I hate
So it always occurs wherever I go,
   I'm exactly ten minutes too late.

        CHORUS.
   Punctuality's all very proper I know,
     But all hurry and worry I hate
   So it always occurs that wherever I go,
     I'm exactly ten minutes too late.

        2
When I jump in a Hansom, or climb on a Bus,
   (To be nicely in time for a train),
I am half in a fever and quite in a fuss,
   Tho' I feel that my efforts are vain;
When I find myself safe in the station at last,
   And believe it's five minutes to eight,
I observe with a sigh that it's five minutes past,
   So I'm only ten minutes too late.

        3
I was once on a time very deeply in love,
   And I courted in verse and in prose,
I obtain'd a big lock of her hair, and a glove,
   So I made up my mind to propose
But a cab drove away as I knock'd at her door,
   And her answer decided my fate,
For my rival had call'd there a little before,
   So that I was ten minutes too late.

        4
I should sing for a month if I told in a song,
   The misfortunes I have to endure,
From this habit that's haunted me all of my life,
   And will haunt me till death, I am sure.
When my fitful career is approaching its end,
   And I lie in a critical state,
It's no matter what physics my Doctor may send,
   I shall take them ten minutes too late!


Source: Sheet music published by Hopwood and Crew, 42, New Bond Street, London, 1869. Bodleian Library, Mus. 5c c. 30(28).
Transcribed by Michael Heaney and Robert Wahl.

ABC transcription of the melody:

X:1
T:Ten Minutes Too Late
C:Composed and sung by Harry Clifton
S:Sheet music published by Hopwood and Crew, 1869
N:Bodleian Library, Mus. 5c c.30(28)
Z:Michael Heaney and Robert Wahl
M:6/8
L:1/8
Q:3/8=72
K:A
E/ E/ | E A A A B c | d F F F2 F/ F/ | G G G G F E | c3-c E E |
w: Cer-tain fidg-et-ty folks we have all of us met, who are fa-mous for be-ing too "soon";_ For a
E/ E/ A A A B c | d2 F F F F | G G G G F E | A3-A B B |
w: two o'-clock de-jeu-ner a la four-chette, They are safe to turn up a-bout noon._ Punc-tu-
B c ^d e ^A B | ^d c c c z c/ c/ | c F F F B c | B3-B B B |
w: al-i-ty's all ve-ry prop-er I know; But all hur-ry and wor-ry I hate_ So it
B c ^d e2 B | ^d c c c2 c/ c/ | B c B A G F | E3-E2 ||
w: al-ways oc-curs wher-ev-er I go, I'm ex-act-ly ten mi-nutes too late._
%
%    Chorus.
"^Chorus." E/ E/ | E A A A B c | d F F F2 F/ F/ | G G G G F E | c3-c2 E/ E/ |
w: Punc-tu-al-i-ty's all ve-ry prop-er I know; But all hur-ry and wor-ry I hate_ So it
E A A A B c | d F F F2 F/ F/ | G G G G F E | A3-A x |]
w: al-ways oc-curs that wher-ev-er I go, I'm ex-act-ly ten mi-nutes too late._


---

Click to play

To play or display ABC tunes, try concertina.net

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 03:13 AM

Hey Lucius

Jimmy Gregory, my brother was an Australian Phenomenon alright. He came to Australia from Glasgow in 1983 at age 20 and remained here (first Sydney, then Tasmania, then Sydney, then Tasmania where he passed suddenlty from an undetectable brain aneurism. I thin his "West along the Road" CD including ten minutes too Late, helped me and my mum grieve and get through the shock of his loss. They say it takes 3 years to grieve. To me he's still on tour somewhere. I am glad that people still rembmeer him and his music. He was more a musician than a singer but taught himself, he was funny. He was and is and will always be "an entertainer". God rest his soul.

Hope all good with you and yours,

Linda Marie Gregory

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ten Minutes Too Late (Harry Clifton)
From: GUEST,Denyse Gibbs
Date: 14 Nov 15 - 05:20 AM

Hi Linda
I knew Jimmy really well for many years. He played in a few bands with my ex husband. I have so many lovely memories of him. he was a really special person. I still remember the phone call in the middle of the night from Tasmania to say he was gone.

I still play his tunes often and always smile when I remember the funny opening lines and jokes that he made before he say. Often opened with " As you can probably tell from my accent, I come from Tasmania... " ( in his beautiful Scottish accent)

He touched so many lives and will be forever remembered by those who knew him
Denyse