Lyr Req: They'll Never Get Their Man (Johnstons)

Subject: Lyr Add: THEY'LL NEVER GET THEIR MAN (Johnstons)^^
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 23 Apr 01 - 07:03 PM

A version of this song is in the DT under the title 'You Might Easy Know A Doffer'. However, the version below, recorded by The Johnstons, has four verses, not just two, and there's a word in verse three I just can't get. Does anyone know this version and can help?

THEY'LL NEVER GET THEIR MAN
(Trad)

Oh it's easy knowing the weavers when they come into town
With their long yellow hair and their stockings hanging down
And their aprons tied afore them and their scissors in their hands
It's easy knowing the weavers for they'll never get their man
Oh they'll never get their man, oh they'll never get their man
It's easy knowing the weavers for they'll never get their man

And it's easy knowing the doffers when they come into town
With their long ragged hair and their stockings hanging down
And their aprons tied afore them and their scissors in their hands
It's easy knowing the doffers for they'll never get their man
Oh they'll never get their man, oh they'll never get their man
It's easy knowing the doffers for they'll never get their man

Oh it's easy knowing the spinners when they come into town
With their old ragged clothes and their (?????) all hanging down
And their aprons tied afore them and their scissors in their hands
It's easy knowing the spinners for they'll never get their man
Oh they'll never get their man, oh they'll never get their man
It's easy knowing the spinners for they'll never get their man

And it's easy knowing the fleurers when they come into town
With their long muzzled chins and their petticoats hanging down
And their aprons tied afore them and their scissors in their hands
It's easy knowing the fleurers for they'll always get their man
Oh they'll always get their man, oh they'll always get their man
It's easy knowing the fleurers for they'll always get their man

'Fleurers' were embroiderers, I've been told. ^^

Subject: RE: Lyr/info: They'll Never Get Their Man
From:
Date: 23 Apr 01 - 09:01 PM

Hi Susanne, I'll have a listen tonight and get back to you, if no one beats me to it.

Pete M

Subject: RE: Lyr/info: They'll Never Get Their Man
From: Stewie
Date: 23 Apr 01 - 09:36 PM

It sounds to me like 'their weft all hangin' down'.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr/info: They'll Never Get Their Man
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Apr 01 - 10:18 PM

Weft would make sense, in context.

Subject: RE: Lyr/info: They'll Never Get Their Man
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 23 Apr 01 - 10:54 PM

THANKS-- have loved that song for many years!

Subject: RE: Lyr/info: They'll Never Get Their Man
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 26 Apr 01 - 07:08 PM

Thanks! 'Weft' could be what they sing, but I've never heard the term. It's not in my dictionary either. Could someone please explain?

Subject: RE: Lyr/info: They'll Never Get Their Man
From: Stewie
Date: 26 Apr 01 - 08:38 PM

Hi Susanne, the Macquarie Dictionary gives a secondary meaning for 'weft' as 'a woven piece' which would apply in this instance. The primary meaning is given as 'woof or filling yarns which interlace with warp running from selvage to selvage'.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr/info: They'll Never Get Their Man
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 01:00 PM

Thanks, Stewie! I'll put your info with the song - just in case ...

Subject: RE: Lyr/info: They'll Never Get Their Man
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 03:08 PM

Hey, this answers a question Wolfgang asked in this thread (click) back in 1997. I'll send him a personal message.
Is the tune the same as what we have in the database?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr/info: They'll Never Get Their Man
From: Wolfgang
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 04:57 AM

Thanks, I had completely forgotten about this request. I had the lyrics, meanwhile, directly from Susanne. The tune is somewhat similar, but not the same.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: They'll Never Get Their Man (Johnstons)
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Mar 21 - 12:45 PM

A Facebook friend recently shared a link to this charming BBC footage of children in Belfast in 1971 playing and singing songs, chanting jump-rope rhymes, and so forth. Toward the end, a small group of them comes running down the street singing "They'll Never Get Their Man," which makes sense in a city once known for its linen mills.

As a longtime fan of this song, I was pleased to hear it sung by these kids. I'm surprised it isn't better known.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdpXTFy3zlw&t=17s

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: They'll Never Get Their Man (Johnstons)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 16 Mar 21 - 02:19 PM

The kids singing a piece of the song comes at 15:52 (ish) in that YouTube link.