Lyr Req: Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner

Subject: Tech: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
From: Wotan
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 05:54 PM

We're looking for an instrumental (CD) recordong of this song to bury my father-in-law to on tuesday 6th May.

When he came up to North Wales to retire 20 years ago, everyone here referred to him as "the Londoner" and so we want this music to be playing as they arrive at the crematorium. Can anyone help?

Thanks, in advance!

Roger Lee

Subject: RE: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 06:05 PM

This might give you a place to start: click. Not in the UK, but at least it's an album to look for over there.

Good luck,

kat

Subject: RE: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
From: CraigS
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 06:21 PM

English Guitar Music - John Williams CD, available from Amazon UK £4.99

Subject: RE: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
From: Gareth
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 07:16 PM

My (faulty) memory suggests Flaneghan and Allen aka the Crazy Gang.

I'll try google and Music Hall

Yes, but, many years ago (30+) I've heard it sung in London and Kent Pubs. (East of Medway)

Gareth

Subject: RE: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 05:39 AM

I seem to remember Max Bygraves used to sing it and there's a record here.
There are also other recordings here.

You can find a MIDI file for it here. It's played on a guitar, but it would be a doddle to change the instrument to a honky-tonk piano with a MIDI editing program. I'd be happy to render it into a a .WAV file for you and put it on an audio CD if you wanted. PM me with an address if you want me to mail it to you - it would have to be snail mail though.
Perhaps you could put the words on the Order of Service and get everyone to sing along - mind you I haven't found the words yet.

Subject: RE: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
From: Ralphie
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 05:51 AM

Wotan...

Sorry to hear your news, and I can't really help with your quest, but as a bit of background information, "Londoner" was written by Hubert Gregg, who can still be found on BBC Radio 2 every Sunday evening.

I'll make a few enquiries for you...but, keep looking.

Regards Ralphie

Subject: RE: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jul 10 - 07:48 AM

i cant find it either its for my nans funeral aswell :/

Subject: RE: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
From: pavane
Date: 30 Jul 10 - 08:19 AM

And Hubert Gregg died last year (or the year before?)

Subject: RE: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 Jul 10 - 09:02 AM

Several versions on Spotify - the best being by the Radio Revellers.

Subject: Lyr Add: MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE I'M A LONDONER
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Jun 18 - 08:31 PM

Is this all there is to it? Found at YouTube:


MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE I'M A LONDONER
As recorded by Flanagan and Allen

Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner that I love London so.
Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner that I think of her wherever I go.
I get a funny feeling inside of me just walking up and down.
Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner that I love London town.

REPEAT.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jun 18 - 08:51 PM

...and when it's repeated, the third line is "just walking up or down."

And hell, that's all there is.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 29 Jun 18 - 02:37 AM

Sheet music with verses (that nobody ever seems to sing) here:

LFF

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner
From: GUEST,threelegsoman
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 03:24 AM

There is a youtube version of the whole song being performed by Rupert Davies who most famously played Maigret in the original TV series.
Like so many songs of the music hall era, everybody knows the chorus, but not the verses.
Rupert Davies "Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner"

I have done my own version based on this and that can be found at
threelegsoman "Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner"
If you would like to use mine, I can send you an audio recording via email.

Subject: Lyr Add: MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE I'M A LONDONER (Gregg)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 11:46 PM

Here are the lyrics from the sheet music that Long Firm Freddie provided the link to. (However, that doesn't look like official sheet music to me; it looks reformatted.)


MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE I'M A LONDONER
Words and music by Hubert Gregg, ©1947.

1. London isn't ev'rybody's cup of tea.
Often you hear visitors complain
Noisy smokey city but it seems to me
There's a magic in the fog and rain.

CHORUS: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
That I love London so.
Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
That I think of her wherever I go.
I get a funny feeling inside of me
Just walking up and down.
Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
That I love London town.

2. People take to saying as the years go by,
London isn't London any more.
People may be changing but the town and I,
We are even closer than before.


* * *
YouTube has dozens of recordings. I found a few that contain at least one verse:
Tessie O'Shea, in a live performance
The Radio Revellers in a studio recording.
Maurice Peckman apparently singing in his living room.
Tony O'Malley sings a somewhat jazzed-up version, but it has both verses.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 05:50 AM

In my final years at school i would listen to a program that Hubert Greg did on radio two at 7oclock on every friday night and heard this song for the first time i was 16 years old and the year was 1996. Two years later i went to london town to study music. in 2001 after leaving England and coming back to scotland my mother said to me would you do the song maybe its because i'm a londiner as part as your songs from the music hall for your new band and it became a favourite for the oldfolks around edinburgh town in scotland from joe moyes. Good on other peoples thoughts and I hope your stories are

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 06:15 AM

just today i heard all your fauts on the song maybe its becos i'm a londuner and look at the recordings on spotify myself and bring back memerys of a band i faut wood hapined but had to split up fanks agen from joe.