Lyr Req: Tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike
From: Shantyfreak
Date: 19 Jun 25 - 07:02 AM

I was searching for Scowie stuff today when I spotted this thread. Sorry the response is a bit late but "better late than never"

I’m The Tightest Tyke In Heckmondwike

I’m the tightest tyke in Heckmondwike
I've a fearsome reputation,
And the tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike,
Is the tightest in the nation.

Wow my Budgie Joey, was expensive to feed,
So I changed him to sawdust to save on his seed,,
'But he couldn’t eat it, hard though he tried,
And several weeks later the. poor budgie died,

I'm the tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike!

I only fry bacon one rasher at a time,
'Being close-fisted in Yorkshire isn't seen as a crime,
I'll admit to being stingy, and tight "with me brass,
And before turning the bacon, I turn out the gas,

I'm the tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike!

I've newspapers for carpets, it's cheap and it's clean,
Then they do for afire, how's that for being mean?
When they say "parsimonious!" I answer "who me?"
"I'm a lot sharper set! I'd skin an owd flea!"

I'm the tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike!

I've a candle to read me library books by,
They can't sell me 'lectric though they come and try,
I say I'm just thrifty and don't like to swank,
About me small fortune in't Yorks Penny Bank,

I'm the tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike!

I've nowt in't Post Office, they make you pay TAX,
In the. street some may jeer, but I'll stand all their cracks,
I've a stack of white fiver's hid under the Bed,
Each one has a name, my favourites Old Fred,

I'm the tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike!

I'm as happy as Larry, so let 'em poke fun,
And as for dying it will take a big gun!
I'm not leaving me brass to some. other, not I,
I'm a real owd Tyke, and I'm too tight to die!

I'm the tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike!.

I’ll not wind up slaving down there with Old Nick!
That's for them that's bin spending their money too quick!
More likely they’ll make me St. Peter's Scribe,
And if I catch any SPENDERS, I'll flay 'em ALIVE/

I'm the tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike!
I've a fearsome reputation,
And the tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike,
Is the tightest in the nation!.

Although I perform it very slightly different (with Scowie's permission) I think these are the original words.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 07:50 PM

There's a page about Keith Scowcroft at the website of The Fireside Fusiliers.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike
From: sid
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 04:02 PM

Scowie, along with me and others, will be at the Belmont Bull(nr Bolton) on tues 10 Feb and at Sam & Ed's club Leeds on Fri 13th - ask him an he'll sell you the book!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 01:17 PM

How exactly, my good man?!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 11:59 AM

Cheers, MoorleyMan - although it would appear you have me at advantage!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 26 Jan 09 - 03:29 PM

Sean,
It is indeed written by the venerable Scowie. It's published in his book A Countryman's Chronicle Part Four, which is dated 2001.

(It's fellow-Catter Shantyfreak who does a splendid rendition of this verse at singarounds etc. by the way.)

Hope this info helps.

MM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 26 Jan 09 - 10:28 AM

Refresh

Subject: Lyr Req: Tightest Tyke in Heckmondwike
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 15 Sep 07 - 07:37 AM

Not even sure if that's the right name; but I believe it's by Scowie / Keith Scowcroft (?) & it's something we usually hear around the Fylde singarounds, but not this year. Passing through Heckmondwike on Tuesday put the refrain into my head where it's stuck ever since...