Quite, Dick, as with any scholarship. Every 'ship' needs a survey every so often.

Phil, the examples are numerous, but I'm no expert. As I said Brian Peters is working on a comprehensive catalogue of Bertisms at the moment so do be patient. If you can't wait for that check out the threads that discuss Bert here.

Meanwhile have a look at Bert's pronouncement on the origin of 'The Merry/Jolly ploughboy' and copied by just about everybody else who has sung it, and give us your opinion. Sleeve notes on Mainly Norfolk would be a good place to start. There is no evidence after 50 years of searching that either John J Blockley or Harrigan and Hart were involved.