Lyr Req: The Coffin Fell Out In The Road

Subject: Lyr Req: The Coffin Fell Out In The Road
From: GUEST,Max
Date: 17 May 26 - 02:19 PM

Hello,

Swan Arcade in 1972, with Jim Boyes, used to sing this music-hall-ish song about which there's no information online.
Not all lyrics are well intelligible in the recording.
Each final consonant of the verse is stressed (road---a!)

The wheel fell on the earth
The coffin fell out in the road
The moon has popped,
The ... outside,
And said: Well, I'll be ...
The widow she looked at the driver
With tears in her eyes she said,
What has me poor old man done to you,
That you can't let him rest now he's dead?

Has anyone heard of this?

Best,
Max

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Coffin Fell Out In The Road
From: cnd
Date: 17 May 26 - 05:14 PM

Hi Max -- what is the "recording" you're referring to? Was it on an album? I haven't been able to figure it out based on the info you've given.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Coffin Fell Out In The Road
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 18 May 26 - 05:42 AM

Jim Boyes - who has turned eighty - and Georgina now live in Belgium.

But it reminds me of going to the Dicconson Arms Folk Club in Wrightington, just outside Wigan. The Dicconson Arms stands at the crossroads of Hall Lane, Appley Lane and Robin Hood Lane, a spot better known as Dangerous Corner. This is the story.

A farmer from High Moor had a bad-tempered wife. She died and her coffin was put on a cart to be taken to the church. As the horse and cart approached the Dicconson Arms, something startled the horse and it bolted. The horse was used to taking the turn there and, as it turned, the coffin slid off the cart and fell into the road. The top came off, and the body inside came back to life and stood up. The farmer fainted!

Years later, the farmer's wife did die, and the cortege again made its way to the church. As it came to the Dicconson Arms, the farmer called out, "Take care here. After last time, it is a dangerous corner!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Coffin Fell Out In The Road
From: GUEST,Max
Date: 18 May 26 - 08:28 AM

Thanks, everybody!

The recording is still unreleased, but might be available soon.

Your story, Henry, somehow made it clear that the first verse goes:
The Wheel Fell Off The Hearse
(the Yorkshire H dropping - 'earse - confused me)

https://folktrax-archive.org/menus/cassprogs/332lucky.htm

At least one mention for this

Max