My grandfather (who I never knew) was a singer and singing teacher amongst other things.

His brother was Maurice Elwin who recorded something in the region of 2000 recordings with Dance Bands (Savoy Orpheans and others) over the 20's and 30's under a huge number of pseudonyms. He latterly taught and coached other singers. He also wrote songs under other names which have been recorded by Gracie Fields, Harry Secombe and others. This was his best known I believe -

AT THE END OF THE DAY
by Donald O'Keefe

Recorded by Gracie Fields;
Josef Locke; Daniel O'Donnell; Dorothy Squires.

At the end of the day just kneel and say
"Thank you, Lord, for my work and play".
I've tried to be good, for I know that I should
That's a prayer for the end of the day.

So when the new dawn begins to break
Just lift up your eyes, let your heart awake
Be ready to meet what the day may send
And be ready to greet every man as a friend

Nobody knows what a power you have found
So do what you can for the others around
Carry them high when they seem to be low
As on your way you go.

At the end of the day just kneel and say
"Thank you, Lord, for my work and play".
I've tried to be good, for I know that I should
That's my prayer at the end of the day.

At the end of the day just kneel and say
"Thank you, Lord, for my work and play".
I've tried to be good, for I know that I should
That's my prayer at the end of the day.


Noone quite knows how many different names he recorded under or why but it was apparently well over 40. I unfortunately never met him. There is a definite family resemblance to my father and he has a rather nice baritone voice.