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30 Aug 20 - 07:27 AM (#4070149) Subject: Song - Johnny Bradbury From: Tradsinger Hello all, Can anyone help me trace this song. The chorus is: It was dear old Johnny, he proved a friend to me Dear old Johnny, in England and over the sea Oft times have I been downhearted, not a friend have I had by me But that old friend proved to the end, that was Johnny Bradbury. I was given to understand that a Johnny is slang for a pound note and a Bradbury slang for a ten shilling note. Has anyone come across this song before? Tradsinger |
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30 Aug 20 - 08:30 AM (#4070157) Subject: RE: Song - Johnny Bradbury From: GUEST,Mike Yates Here is the text from the Cantwell Family of Oxford, recorded by me in the 1960's. You probably have a later recording. Will try to dig out the details of who wrote this, which I have somewhere or other. Johnny Bradbury (Roud 24575) I’ve a dear old pal in England, I’ve a dear old pal in Wales I’ve a dear old pal in Scotland who could tell you many tales But of all the friends I’ve had, sir, I had one friend by me And that old friend proved to the end, ‘twas Johnny Bradbury Chorus: It was dear old Johnny and he proved a pal to me Dear old Johnny, in England and over the sea Oft-times have I been downhearted, not a friend have I had by me But that old friend proved to the end, ‘twas Johnny Bradbury I once fell out of work, sir, in our large city I walked about in wonder, all the big bugs coughed at me But never was I downhearted ‘cause I had one pal by me And that old friend proved to the end, ‘twas Johnny Bradbury |
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30 Aug 20 - 08:45 AM (#4070158) Subject: RE: Song - Johnny Bradbury From: Tradsinger Great, Mike. Thanks. I just got bits of it from the Cantwells. I can't find any other version. Cheers |
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31 Aug 20 - 05:24 AM (#4070221) Subject: RE: Song - Johnny Bradbury From: GUEST,Mike Yates While we are talking about the Cantwell Family. Here are three fragments of song that I recorded from them in the '60's. Can anyone help with their identification, please? Three Fragments 1.On one bright and Sunday morning I was picking mush-a-rooms When some great big clumsy something Came and stole my pantaloons Take my clothes up to the grubber And my shoes to Uncle Sam When I’m dead and gone, dear mother On my tombstone spread some jam Roud 23519. In English slang, the word ‘grubber’ can means either a workhouse, a tramp, or else a market-trader. ‘Uncle Sam’ probably refers to a pawnbroker. 2. A kettle will gaily sing, bubbling over with joy The children shout with glee as they climb upon my knee Before everything seems so jolly even the missus keeps chatting The liver and sausages in the pan and bursting their sides a-laughing 3. Oh I can’t sleep on me right side And I can’t sleep on me left For the right side is the right side To sleep on at night I can’t sleep on the other side With me face towards the wall And as long as there’s a little drop of scrumpy in the house I can’t sleep at all |