The flipside of the Billy Bennett version of Christmas Day in the Cookhouse was this one: PLEASE LET ME SLEEP ON YOUR DOORSTEP, TONIGHT. by Bob Weston and Bert Lee (1930) performed by Billy Bennett 'Twas Christmas Eve at midnight And a tramp with haggard face Was knocking at the door Of a rich millionaire's palace. The rich man in pyjamas Trimmed with gold and costly fur Said, 'What are you a-wanting of? The tramp replied, 'Dear sir, Please let me sleep on your doorstep tonight, I'm homeless and cold and the snow's falling white, The fire through your keyhole looks cosy and bright, So please let me sleep on your doorstep tonight.' The rich man said, 'How dare you?' In a manner cold and chill And from his freezing nose He proudly wiped an icicle. That night while his rich brother slept on silk sheets trimmed with lace The poor man slept and then the snowflakes fell On his cold face. (SUNG CHORUS) 'Please let me sleep on your doorstep tonight, I'm homeless and cold and the snow's falling white, The fire through your keyhole looks cosy and bright, So please let me sleep on your doorstep tonight.' The rich man called a constable and said, 'Remove this man.' He shone his lamp - the rich man cried, 'Why it's my brother Dan! You want to sleep upon my doorstep, You my brother Fred, You shall sleep on my doorstep I didn't know you when yer said, "Please let me sleep on your doorstep tonight, I'm homeless and cold and the snow's falling white, The fire through your keyhole looks cosy and bright, So please let me sleep on your doorstep tonight." The rich man caught pneumonia Through standing in the cold And soon at heavens pearly gates He claimed his wings of gold. The angel to the rich man said, 'You can't come in, oh no.' The rich man said,'Well as it's late and they're full up below, Please let me sleep on your doorstep tonight, I'm homeless and cold and the snow's falling white, The fire through your keyhole looks cosy and bright, So please let me sleep on your doorstep tonight.' Cheers, John
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