Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan

Subject: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: GUEST,Curious Clouseau
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 10:13 AM

Hi,
Im looking for comical songs and parodies written by irish performer Cecil Sheridan. Any help would be much appreciated.
Here is one of his parodies set to the tune of "Let The Rest Of The World Go By" :

When Duffy's Circus came to town
And we went there one night
There was acrobats there was elephants
But the clowns was our delight
When the tattooed lady came on stage
And her cloak was on fire
She was tattooed from head to toe
With pictures of the world

Now right around her neck was a scene from Old Quebec
Her chest as I recall was the hills of Donegal
And down her spine was Palestine
With the Suez Canal not far behind
Singapore was round her waist
I could see her naval base
And I got a glimpse of Irelands Eye
And then the wife said come on Joe
And away I had to go
And let the rest of the world go by

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Peace
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 10:16 AM

Much if not most of his work is still under copyright. Searches will be difficult because of that. FYI

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: GUEST,Curious Clouseau
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 10:37 AM

As far as I know there was a book containing his lyrics released at one point but so far I have been unsuccessful in obtaining a copy. Anybody any idea where I could obtain a copy?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Gulliver
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 11:31 AM

I have one or two parodies by him that I learned from my mother, who knew him in her younger days. One of them was a parody of "My Way" and ended "a good few quid, it's coming my way." My mother thought it was written by Danny Cummins but an old-timer said it was Cecil Sheridan's. I'll look up the words and ask the gang at the weekend if they know of a song-book. I fear most of his gang, like Maureen Potter, Noel Purcell, etc. have unfortunately passed on.

Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 Sep 07 - 10:13 PM

A number of TATTOOED LADY songs have been documented in these pages. Here's one from the Smothers Brothers that seems similar to what you want.

There's another called ONLY SEVENTEEN attributed to Cyril Tawney.

If neither of those are the one you want, follow the links to other threads about "Tattooed Lady" songs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 12:55 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Gulliver
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 05:31 PM

Sorry I didn't get back sooner--my PC broke down last week and I had to get a new one, and am only now getting up to speed.

I placed a sound file of Cecil singing on my site here.

I'll try to rustle up some lyrics. I have a sound file of Maureen Potter singing "Let The Rest Of The World Go By", if you're interested.

Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 29 Sep 07 - 08:28 PM

Here's my transcription from Gulliver's sound file:

Now I come home last Friday night, collapsed upon the floor,
While the wife's out playing bingo with a man that lives next door.
The doctor came, examined me, then turned to her and said:
"It's a case of malnutrition. Very soon he will be dead."

Now the end is near. She's drawn the blinds and pulled the curtain.
She said, "You're sinkin', Pops, and now your heart's gone for a burden.
Your policy's paid up, and when the man comes round next Friday,
I'll just say, "Sid, a ripe (?) few quid, it's coming my way."

---
[By the way, I'm not familiar with the phrase "gone for a burden." I've found a few examples using Google, which suggest that it's some kind of quaint expression. Can anyone explain it?

[And I'm not sure about "ripe". It might be "right".]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Sep 07 - 05:35 PM

could be [gone for a burton].

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Gulliver
Date: 30 Sep 07 - 08:55 PM

That's funny--I replied to this query about "burden" yesterday--my post must have got lost in the ether!

Anyway, it should be "gone for a Burton", a wartime saying meaning someone is in a bad way, gone missing, or (in most cases) dead. Burton tailors made good affordable suits for the working man. It's the same as saying he's "gone west" or "had his chips".

And yes, it should be "a right few quid" (quid being pounds, ie cash).

Thanks, Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Sep 07 - 11:40 PM

No wonder I found so few instances (4 to be exact) of "gone for a burden" on the Internet. Those people got it wrong, just like I did! On the other hand, Google finds 14,700 instances of "gone for a Burton"!

Here's an interesting discussion at World Wide Words.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: GUEST,Curious Clouseau
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 08:33 AM

Hi Gulliver,

Yeah I already have Maureen Potter singing "Let The Rest Of The World Go By", very good.
I am wondering did you manage to find out if a book containing his lyrics was available at any point?

Your help is much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: GUEST,M. Nolan
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 11:42 PM

MY husband is Cecil's nephew and lived around the corner from him. Attended many a performance and went backstage. will try and get him to write doiwn some of what he remembers. Cecil still has a living daughter in Ireland, his son Noel passed away last year and was an actor and painter of some note!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: GUEST,Curious Clouseau
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 11:02 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Curious Clouseau
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 05:56 AM

I don't suppose anyone might have an address for Cecils daughter? I have been seraching for some of his material for months and have had very little joy. I did manage to get this song from the Dublin City archives Edward My Son

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Gulliver
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 09:19 PM

Did you try the Theatre Archive? I enquired at the Trad Music Archive in Dublin in response to a previous request of yours. They didn't have anything but suggested trying the Theatre Archive. Web site is here: http://www.amharclann.ie/guide_dubcity.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Gulliver
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 09:40 PM

Another possibility, if you haven't tried it already, might be to contact:
Philip B. Ryan (Author), Philip Chevron (Editor) of "The Lost Theatres of Dublin".

See this thread: http://www.pogues.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=7034

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Gulliver
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 10:01 PM

BTW, are you looking for the lyrics to "Rathgar" by Jimmy O'Dea? I have it on a tape and can transcribe or maybe even upload if you're interested. Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: GUEST,Curious Clouseau
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 12:14 PM

Hi Gulliver,

I dont suppose I could get a copy of Rathgar from you? I have the lyrics but would be greaful for a copy of the recitation :)

Gary

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Gulliver
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 04:28 PM

Hi Gary, I've uploaded "Rathgar" and "The Vamp of Inchicore" to my site here. If you've any problems with the sound files let me know, as it's a while since I did this. Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Gulliver
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 10:31 PM

I added a few more old songs to my web page, one of them by Cecil Sheridan. Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: GUEST,Curious Clouseau
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 07:05 AM

Brilliant! Thanks for those.
I recently purchased an old 78 Record of Jimmy O'Dea doing a sketch with Harry O'Donovan. Side A is the sketch and Side B has O'Dea singing "The Charladies Ball". If your interested I can e-mail you the MP3's?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: GUEST,John A V C
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 04:45 PM

The Lyric "When the tattooed lady came on stage
And her cloak was on fire" should read "And her cloak she unfurled"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cecil Sheridan Songs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 Aug 10 - 04:50 PM

Lyrics to HANNIGAN'S HOOLEY have been posted in this thread: Lyr Req: Hannigan's Hooley (Cecil Sheridan).

Subject: Lyr Add: MY WAY (parody by Cecil Sheridan)
From: GUEST,Noel Purcell Jr.
Date: 26 Sep 10 - 11:10 AM

One of Cecil's best, sung on the 'Late Late Show', 23 Dec 1974 in a tribute to my da, Noel Purcell.

MY WAY

And now, the end is near; she's pulled the blinds and drawn the curtains.
She said, 'Its very clear: your liver's shot, gone for a Burton.
Your policy is all paid up, and when the man comes round next Friday,
I'll tell him: 'Sid, a right few quid is coming my way.'

I know I have to go, 'cos round the bed, she's lit the candles,
Bought my last overcoat; it's polished oak, with 6 brass handles.
Although I'm skin and bone and seven stone is all that I weigh,
Still it hurts; one more clean shirt and I'm on my way.

For what is a man? What has he got?
A broken nose, black eyes, the lot.
But in my dreams, at Heaven's gate,
I hear St. Peter say: 'Don't wait.
The record shows, you took the blows.
Come on up myyyyy wayyyyyy!'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: zozimus
Date: 27 Sep 10 - 04:04 PM

Hi Noel Purcell Jnr,
I have being searching for a copy of your Dad's tribute to Brendan Behan for some time without much luck. Do you know has it been issued on a compilation CD or is there just the vinyl 45? Do you have a copy of it? Perhaps you could PM me if yo can help.
No one good do it like your Da.
                                     Many Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: GUEST,Patrick Purcell ( Named after Dad)
Date: 28 Sep 10 - 04:57 AM

Hi, zozimus,

Dolphin records released a tape years ago called : 'Great Irish Ballads' DOCS2016, all composed by Pete St. John. I have a copy of the tape, but can't get it down to disk. Sorry Maybe Dolphin still have it, but I don't see it on their website:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CCAQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dolphin-dara.ie%2Fabout.html&ei=MK2hTO20Ic7Rcee0oJcB&usg=AFQjCNGy2Wi9Eh-8tOP2VmqjW8E6Pvdiyw

Hope you get lucky.

Cheers

Patrick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: Curious Clouseau
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 11:36 AM

Hi Patrick,

I am an Audio Visual Technician so would be happy to transfer the tape on to CD for you.

Drop me a PM if you'd be interested. Regards,

CC

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jul 12 - 12:41 PM

Her first name is Anne. She has or had a B & B in Drogheda. Noel Purcell his son died about 3 years ago, and his other daughter, Barbara much before that. Brendan grew up an Clanbrassil St. just around the corner from Cecil's house, at that time, on S. Circular Road 3rd house down left side going towards Stephen's green. The yards intersected at the back. The house was very quiet when Cecil was in residence, a remote man who attended mass each day he was at home. He also has a sister Sherry Sheridan. To Brendan's knowledge she never married, was a nurse in WWII, and was on two boats hit by torpedoes and survived. Nan, who was the sister of Brendan's mother, killed herself. The family broke apart after that. I do know Cecil wrote a lot of parodies. One of my favorites is: during 1949 (?) there was a transport workers strike. De Valera would have no truck with this and Cecil wrote

Roll along Army Lorries roll along,
De Valera has a bike,
So he doesn't mind the strike,
Roll along Army Lorries roll along.

It is the only part Bren can remember. He was pretty young and would go with his aunt Nan to the shows and to bingo! And to the tune of Mairsie Doats, Cecil wrote:

'Mary wrote and Rosie wrote; they're comin' down on Friday.
The kids are comin' too. What a do!'

And dressed as a dame would do Mary Martha McGee, the Pride of the Coombe. I am not Irish and so never got to see him or his shows. Did catch the great Eir TV show celebrating Noel Purcell, and Cecil along with Jimmy O'Dea was on it too...excellent. Cecil is also a character in the film (the only film) of James Joyce's "Ulysses." I found a copy online here in Canada but perhaps you could rent it if you've not seen it? If I can find an address for Anne I will post it to you, the same for any other lyrics Bren can dredge up...Thank, Maryann Nolan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: GUEST,Joanne Kieran
Date: 26 Nov 12 - 08:33 PM

Hi there, just recently did a search on my Granddad Cecil Sheridan and saw that people are looking out for his songs. His daughter (my Mam, Ann) would be delighted to help in any way... she still performs Hanigan's Hooley!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: Curious Clouseau
Date: 03 May 13 - 04:22 AM

Hi Joanne. I would be very interested in getting some of the lyrics if possible? Could you drop me a private message? Thanks :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: GUEST,Brian M. Smith
Date: 14 Sep 13 - 06:14 PM

I am looking for thev words of Mick Mc Gilligans Daughter Maryann

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Sep 13 - 12:43 PM

Brian M. Smith: Lyrics to MICK McGILLIGAN'S DAUGHTER MARY ANNE have been posted in another thread: here.

I don't see any connection to Cecil Sheridan—perhaps there isn't any.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 16 Sep 13 - 04:27 AM

Curious Clouseau, if you know the name of the book of Cecil Sheridan's lyrics, you might find it on abebooks.com (or abebooks.co.uk), alibris.com (or .co.uk), biblio.com, powells.com or ebay. I've bought the most surprising books through all of these, including out-of-print and very rare books (though I'm still looking for Edward Martyn and the Irish Theatre).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: MartinRyan
Date: 16 Sep 13 - 05:22 AM

Jim

Cecil Sheridan was an Irish variety show performer (last throes of musichall, really) and the song would have been associated with him.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 Sep 13 - 03:53 PM

Wikipedia says Cecil Sheridan wrote "Mick McGilligan's Daughter."

However, Trinity College Library Dublin has a copy of the sheet music, which is described thus in its catalogue:

Mick McGilligan's Daughter, Mary Anne
words and music by Joseph M. Crofts.
Dublin : Walton's Piano & Musical Instrument Galleries, [1958?]

Likewise, the British Library says:

Mick McGilligan's Daughter, Mary Anne.
Joseph Crofts
c1949.

Other songs I have found attributed to Joseph M. Crofts, in the years 1945-1952:

'Twas One of Those Dreams
Back to Dear Old Tipperary
Bould Thady Quill
Come to the Dance at Kilbecanty Fair
Could I But Hear
Dry Be That Tear
Eileen Macmanus
Evelyn
Evermore
Goodnight Molly Darling
Hills of Connemara
How Dear to Me the Hour
In the Sweet Lovely Vale of Adare
Love of My Heart
My Dark Slender Boy
My Darling Child
My Darling Mary
Noreen Ban
O, Molly, I Can't Say You're Honest
On the Banks of the Calm Winding Feale
Shamus O'Brien
The Carlow Maid
The Chimes of Cove
The Irish Peasant Girl
The Irish Rover
The Ploughman
The Wild Colonial Boy
Tipperary Far Away

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: MartinRyan
Date: 16 Sep 13 - 04:30 PM

Some of that list looks distinctly unlikely....

Crofts is mentioned in passing by Vallely (in Companion to Irish Traditional Music) in an article on Walton's, the publisher, but without mentioning the songs he wrote. I'll have a look in the ITMA catalogue and make some enquiries.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: GUEST,
Date: 19 Sep 13 - 11:56 AM

Walton's publications are unreliable as regards song authorship, and include many songs that should be listed as "Trad. Arrangement". The name under many songs in there songbooks refers to the singer, Delia Murphy being a typical example. Joseph Crofts had a music shop in North Frederick Street when Walton's set up business there. He was a singer and composer and had some work published,and Walton's continued to publish his collection, but again, many of the songs should have been listed as Trad. Arr. J. Crofts. Many of the songs listed above were definitely not written by Crofts. The problem is trying to establish which he did write, if any.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Oct 13 - 06:05 PM

sorry curious clouseau, i haven't been checking the site but i saw your message and i don't know how to private message on mudcat. mam is currently putting together a mini biography of cecil and is on the look out for someone who will sing his songs. preferably a dubliner who could imitate the voice.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: GUEST,joanne
Date: 18 Oct 13 - 06:22 PM

here is one parody based on que sera

when i was just a little boy i asked my father what will i be
he said don't get married, travel afar
get out of the coun..ter...y (country)

gaze afar afar, go out to Austrailia
don't ever hang round Rathgar
that's where dangers are

When i was over 17
one night i went to the Ballerina
one lady's choice and father's advice seemed very perculiar

daisy Mac Namar
she lived up in Temple Bar
I soon met her Ma and Da
Oh what fools men are
what will be will be

"Daisy there ya are
He's the best you've brought home so far
He must have a right few bar
Get your hooks in far
Que sera sera what will be will be.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: Thompson
Date: 19 Oct 13 - 07:03 AM

He had a cameo in some 1960s film as a sneery camp horse trader - was it The Witchfinder General? Can't see him listed in the cast of that - and completely ran away with the film, was the best thing in it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: eftifino
Date: 23 Jan 14 - 12:59 AM

Here is something which I hope will be a treat for all Cecil's fans. I finally managed to get his Late Late appearacnce and 'My Way' up to Youtube. Here's the link
Click here

Pat Purcell

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: Curious Clouseau
Date: 07 Feb 14 - 05:55 AM

Hi Joanne,
Thanks for your response. Will Cecil's songs be published in the upcoming biography?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jun 15 - 04:02 PM

Yes... She's finally got a singer. Hopefully begin recording tomorrow. What lyrics do you want?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jun 15 - 04:06 PM

That last message was from Joanne for Curious Clouseau

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: GUEST,Robert McGlone.
Date: 30 Aug 15 - 02:51 PM

My Dublin interest is back in 50's & 60's this is where I spent my holidays. Back then I was very friendly with a family who lived at 42a Lowerclanbrassil Street. My girlfriends name was Eileen Nolan. Her brother's name was Brendan and at that time he told me he was going to be a priest. They had two cousins I was friends with, Ann and Barbara Sheridan. Their father was the comic Cecil Sheridan.
I often think about all of them and wonder where they all are now.
If anyone knows of them I would be glad to hear from them.
Robert McGlone.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Aug 15 - 10:46 PM

If anybody can help Robert get in touch with the Nolans or Sheridans, you can email me and I'll forward your message to Robert.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor-
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Cecil Sheridan
From: Curious Clouseau
Date: 15 Mar 16 - 09:29 AM

Hi Joanne,

Could you register an account on here so I could contact you privately?
I'm reluctant to post my e-mail address on msg boards.

Many thanks.

Gary