CHRISTINE KEELER
Does anyone know anything about this song? My friend Bill Sowerby in Hull suggested the song to me for this thread. In his email he said he would love to know more about the song and tells the story of how he first encountered it.
Bill Sowerby and some friends were on holiday in Ireland in August 1974, visiting the Fleadh in Listowel, County Kerry and were in a session in Lynch's Bar with lots of other singers and musicians. The MC repeatedly asked a young man if he would "give us Christine" to which he always replied "maybe later". Eventually he was persuaded to sing the song and, anticipating a good Irish song, Bill switched on his cassette recorder and this is what was sung. We don't know who he was or who wrote the song and we have never heard it sung since except by Bill. The words here have changed a little over the years as happens but it is mostly as we heard it in 1974. The tune is a variant of Brighton Camp / The Girl I Left Behind Me.
Christine Keeler
The truth I’ll tell it happened in the merry month of June
When the Russians tried to put a woman on the moon
But over here in England a terrible storm did blow
Concerning Christine Keeler and a bloke called Profumo
Now it’s well known that Christine was generous to the boys
To ministers and diplomats and also Russian spies
She was generous to all colours be it black or white or red
Sure half the British government had slept in Christine’s bed
Profumo had a lovely job his salary was high
He also had a lovely wife but he had a roving eye
One day in high midsummer his room was far from cool
He first met Christine Keeler in the Clivedon swimming pool
He tickled her in the swimming pool, he cuddled her in the park
Then went for drives round pubs and clubs,
he caressed her in the dark
One day he was late for keeping a date Christine to him she said
I’m sorry Jack you should have stayed with the crack cos there’s a Russian in my bed
Now Dr Ward tried very hard to keep the whole thing quiet
But “Lucky Gordon” came to call and the story came to light
It reached the House of Commons, McMillan he was vexed
I can’t allow corruption or an overdose of sex
Profumo now is in disgrace he’s finished for all time
McMillan and his Cabinet they forced him to resign
He lost his MP’s salary and calls before the Queen
And that’s the price he had to pay for his sessions with Christine
If anyone can give us more information or even an online recording of this it will be much appreciated.