The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #135554   Message #3091882
Posted By: Jim Dixon
09-Feb-11 - 01:07 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Aunt Tilly (from Harry Champion)
Subject: Lyr Req: Aunt Tilly (from Harry Champion)
I would appreciate any help in fixing any errors or missing words in the following transcription.

There seem to be some crucial words missing in verse 1 that might conceal the joke.

What does he mean by "plonker" in verse 5? Am I hearing the word correctly?

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


AUNT TILLY
As recorded by Harry Champion, 1917.

1. Our old Auntie Tilly she has come to stay with us.
She'll do anything we want. She never makes a fuss.
Yesterday we sent her out to get the shopping in.
When the butcher spotted her he shouted with a grin:
"Oh, Aunt Tilly, if you want some meat,
Walk into the shop, old dear. We'll let you have a treat.
Oh, Aunt Tilly, a lovely joint for you I've found."
She made ... upon for one and ten a pound.

2. The other day we had the sweeper come and sweep the flue.
Echoed Auntie Tilly she had nothing else to do.
She went out in the street to watch the chimney pot, no doubt.
From the window down below, the sweep began to shout:
"Oh, Aunt Tilly, don't move from the spot.
I want you just to keep your eye upon the chimney pot.
Oh, Aunt Tilly, don't forget to shout
And let me know when you can see me brush a-poking out."

3. Once I tore me trousers and I hadn't none to wear.
Auntie got some calico, made me another pair.
She handed them to me and said, "I'll make you look a don."
I shouted out to Auntie when I put my trousers on:
"Oh, Aunt Tilly, they fit me like a sack.
You put no buttons up the front. You've sewn them up the back.
Oh, Aunt Tilly, you've caused me grief and pain.
I don't know if I'm going out or coming home again."

4. When she heard that England wanted men to face the foe,
Auntie had her hair cut and put trousers on, what-ho!
She went to see the doctor and she thought the sight was fine,
Standing there with all the other fellows in the line.
"Oh, Aunt Tilly," the doctor said, "Pooh-pooh!
I'm-a not a-going to run the rule all over you.
Oh, Aunt Tilly, don't take off your clothes,
For I can tell you're not a man by the wrinkle on your nose."

5. The day I had a pain, the doctor said, "You want a rest.
Put a plonker on your back and a poultice on your chest."
Auntie said to me, "Old dear, you'd better go to bed."
When she put the poultice steaming hot on me, I said:
"Oh-oh-oh, Auntie Tilly, the pain begins to hurt.
The ... fell off the plaster. It's a-sticking to me shirt.
Oh-oh-oh, Auntie Tilly, I can't sit down to tea.
You've been and put the poultice where the plonker ought to be."