Hello Ian.

I'm sorry it's taken so long to get back to you since your first request.

I 'thought' that I had heard this song somewhere before.

It is a MIKRON THEATRE COMPANY song from the 1970s.
(MIKRON have kindly given their permission to transcribe these lyrics.)

They still do great shows around the canal network of England, from their narrowboat and by road! see them if you can at one of their many excellent shows.

Check their web site for venues, dates and other things.
http://www.mikron.org.uk/index.php


By the MIKRON THEATRE COMPANY

From the show "KEEP YER 'ANDS OFF"

Music and lyrics by ANNA BENTINCK

On the album "LAST RUN" Songs of the canals and waterways of Great Britain

Issued by PBR International in 1977

Album No: PBR 5001


TRACK LIST:

Side one

01) One May morning
02) I'm James Brindley
03) Barrow run
04) John Alcohol
05) Pinkerton and Murray
06) I navvied up in Scotland
07) The Caledonian canal
08) The navvymen
09) Come now begin delving
10) I've fallen in love with a legger
11) Tommy note song
12) Mother dear


Side two

01) Tilbury
02) Oh lockkeeper read me my letter
03) Nationalisation
04) Boatman's lament
05) Winter song
06) Last run
07) Restoration
08) Up the cut
09) Please mind my boat
10) Sailing by


Sleeve notes are:-

Legging was the method used for getting horse-drawn boats through tunnels. The men lay on boards at the front of the boats and 'walked' the boat through using the walls. The boatmen could hire professional leggers at some tunnels.




And the lyrics are:-



I'VE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH A LEGGER

LYRICS AND MUSIC BY ANNA BENTINCK
PERFORMED BY THE MIKRON THEATRE COMPANY


"Dad!" (Spoken by girl)
"What love?" (Spoken by man)

VERSE 1. I've fallen in love with a legger, (Sung by girl)
Oh no, that never could be, (Sung by man)
He's straight and he's sturdy, (Sung by girl)
And I call him Curdy, (Sung by girl)
And his legs are as big as a tree. (Sung by girl)

CHORUS 1. I'm clumsy and plain and I'm thirty, (Sung by girl)
There's not many men would have me. (Sung by girl)

VERSE 2. If you have been loose with this legger, (Sung by man)
I'll take my windlass to thee, (Sung by man)
Oh dad, that I'd never, (Sung by girl)
But you know I'm not clever, (Sung by girl)
And a legger is just right for me. (Sung by girl)

"All together" (Spoken by man)

CHORUS 2. (Sung by all)
I'm clumsy and plain and I'm thirty,
There's not many men would have her.

(Verses 3. and 4. are sung by girl)

VERSE 3. I'd want us to leg it together,
Each on our own separate wing,
I have got strong legs,
So we won't have to beg,
We'll just leg it while the rest of you sing.

CHORUS 2. (Sung by all)

VERSE 4. I'm not neat enough for a boatman, ("Don't be daft"! (spoken by man))
But Curdy will wed me in church,
He's not a gongoozler,*
Not much of a boozer,
I don't want to be left in the lurch.

CHORUS 2 (Sung by all)

* A gongoozler is a person who stands around watching others working or doing things. AFAIK

I hope this helps.

Best wishes.

Cattail!