The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #135535   Message #3091504
Posted By: Jim Dixon
08-Feb-11 - 09:26 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Robin Redbreast (from Harry Champion)
Subject: Lyr Req: Robin Redbreast (from Harry Champion)
I would appreciate any help in fixing any errors or missing words in the following transcription.

From the recording found at YouTube:
(It is the first of 2 songs in that "video.")


ROBIN REDBREAST
As recorded by Harry Champion, 1910

1. Have you ever seen a robin sitting on a tree?
My old girl will have it that is what I ought to be,
Because I wear a red vest the colour of my nose.
It used to be a chest protector. Goodness, how it grows!
I'm all there when I'm strolling up the west.
The girls all come and tickle me and they rub me on the chest.
They make a reg'lar fuss of me and say I look a don.
I always get in trouble every time I put it on.

CHORUS: But I never get the knock when the boys cry, "Cock, cock-cock-cock, cock robin!"
In my old red vest, I mean to cut a shine.
Walking up the street, they call me danger on the line.
And the more they call me robin redbreast,
I'll wear it longer still.
I will have a red waistcoat, I will.
I will, I will, I will, I will, I will.

2. Well, it comes in very handy, so I've heard the missus say.
She hangs it in the garden 'cause it keeps the cats away.
When she goes to bed at night, she hangs it on the bed.
She likes to warm her feet against the lovely glowing red.
One foggy night I saw a building all alight.
Policeman he came running up to me with all his might.
Saw me red; a fire alarm is what he did require.
Right below before my face he started shouting, "Fire!" CHORUS

3. Some funny things have happened. I could tell you on the bright.
Standing at the corner of a street the other night,
Waiting for a bus as I intended going south,
A fellow came along and he popped a letter in my mouth.
"I'm no letter box," I said. "Remember that!"
Just as he was grinning at me like a Cheshire cat.
A postman he came on the scene barely up the pole.
Dropped his bag and stuck his key right in me buttonhole. CHORUS