The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #4572   Message #1724565
Posted By: Charmain
22-Apr-06 - 08:15 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: songs by Oldham Tinkers
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs from The Oldham Tinkers
I had lost the words to the second verse and found them here - thankyou - this is the complete song I think!

Billy Winker drove a cart
For a brewer down at t'Shay..
With full ale barrels 'e'd start
on 'is journey ev'ry day
   empty kegs he'd get from some
   .. but the shameful truth to tell..
    when, wi th'empties he came whoam.
    ..he were oft brim full 'is self

Oh.. Billy , what a mon
Lifes last baudle soon tha spent
Now tha's supped all th'ale tha con
it were gettin time tha went.

Customers ne'er thinkin' wrong
Used to gi im allowance glassess
Mild or bitter, weak or strong
Every make from Coops to bassess
Winker always sattled lot
Out were 'ee 'is spark to sleck
Jug or bottle Glass or Pot
'Ee would empty down 'is neck


Bill grew fat and he grew fatter,
wi' shame 'is face and nose turned pink.
He'd fergetten t'taste o' watter
since he'd ta'n to mix his drink
and so it is bad 'abits floor
t'best o' folks as live by sweat,
If he'd stuck to milk it's sure
Billy could've been 'ere yet.

Billys master, (soft in t'yed)
called 'is mon in one fine day..
"here's nine gallons lad" 'e said
"Tak it whoam .. there's nowt to pay.
Tha can sup it well ah think
or tha's lied about be folk,
set thiself to side this drink,
an ah'll time thee just for t'joke."

Billy thanked 'im with a grin
Barrel on 'is shoulder cocked
Tak it Wom an' safely in
Front and Back is doors he locked
Drops his load and down he sits
Buckling from a days hard work
Th'ale soon fast began to flit
It were all well gone bi' dark

Come next morning nine o'clock
In t't'master Billy went
Standing steady as a rock
Fillin' spot wi' balmy scent
Gone bi now 'is master cried
Billy Winker thart a cure
"Gone why Mon to tell no lie
For us supper ad to fotch some more"