Lyr Req: The Policeman's Holiday (Montague Ewing)

Subject: Lyr Req: The policeman's holiday
From: Bates from Birregurra
Date: 27 May 08 - 05:38 PM

G'day all

I've been searching everywhere for the words to an old Edwardian music hall song called the Policeman's Holiday.

The first line goes: "Once a year the policeman goes away, to the seaside for a holiday"

Can anyone help please?

Cheers

Keith

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The policeman's holiday
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 May 08 - 08:34 PM

By Montague Ewing, published by Phillips and Page, c. 1911, London. Piano music at National Library Australia. Their copies may not have lyrics. Can be ordered from their website. http://www.nla.gov.au/copiesdirect/
Also the Lester Levy Collection; piano music sheet music only.

Words by Russell Devon, music by Montague Ewing. Sheet music with the words may be purchased from: http://www.kaysmusic.cok/folk.htm

Price $18 Australian, two used copies on offer.
They will ship to U. S. or UK for $9.00 Australian.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The policeman's holiday
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 29 May 08 - 08:45 AM

The sheet music of the piano-only version of THE POLICEMAN'S HOLIDAY: 1 OR 2-STEP by Montague Ewing, published 1911, can be seen at The National Library of Australia and at The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music.

Lyrics were written later, by Russell Devon, published 1932, and by Leila Pirani, published 1936, and these are apparently still under copyright, which is why the libraries haven't put the images online.

I found a sound sample of a recording by The Keynotes on an album called "Fabulous Vocal Groups of the '50s" and transcribed this: (I don't know who wrote these lyrics)

…song about the lads who pound the beat.
Their courage is undaunted and they're noted for their feats.
But once a year he hangs his belt and helmet on the wall
And he's off to take a holiday with …
La, la, la, la, la, la, …

Once a year the copper leaves his beat.
In the seat(?) he pops his great…

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Policeman's Holiday (Montague Ewing)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Nov 15 - 06:13 PM

Once a year the copper leaves his beat, in the sea he plonks his great big feet, see him strolling along the golden sands, with a bathing beauty holding his big hands....

Subject: Lyr Add: THE POLICEMAN'S HOLIDAY
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Nov 15 - 08:36 PM

THE POLICEMAN'S HOLIDAY
As recorded by The Palm Court Theatre Orchestra with vocalist Anthony Godwin, on "Down Peacock Alley" (2004)

Once a year the copper leaves his beat.
In the sea he pops his great big feet.
Watch him walking on the golden sand,
With a bathing beauty holding his big hand.
On the pier before the crowds arrive,
He blows up his water wings and takes a dive.
All the crabs and shrimps and winkles shout with all their might:
"Steady, boys; here comes a copper!" Good night!

If you want to know the time, ask a p'liceman.

If you want to know the time, ask a p'liceman.

Once again upon the same old beat,
Pounding the pavement with his great big feet,
Helping pretty girls across the Strand,
While he holds up the traffic with his other hand.
Sometimes he's on duty in the park,
Cuddling a nursemaid where it's nice and dark.
[tacit line]
"Steady, girl; here comes a sergeant!" Good night!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Policeman's Holiday (Montague Ewing)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 18 Mar 21 - 01:13 PM

https://www.jack-the-ripper-tour.com/generalnews/if-you-want-to-know-the-time-ask-a-policeman/

History about 'If You Want to Know the Time, Ask a P'liceman'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Policeman's Holiday (Montague Ewing)
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 18 Mar 21 - 01:51 PM

Jimmy Edwards chose the song performed by the Keynotes as one of his Desert Island Discs. It was chosen to remind him of his time on the BBC radio show "Take It From Here".

It starts at about 12' 30":

Desert Island Discs

LFF