Lyr Req/Add: Ballad of Bethnal Green (P Roberts)

Subject: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Folkbloke
Date: 11 Jul 99 - 12:39 PM

I am still looking for words to the Ballad of Bethnal Green by Paddy Roberts. I have some words, and used to perform the song myself some years ago while working as a folksinger, but time and inactivity have dulled the memory banks. Anyone please help.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Llanfair
Date: 11 Jul 99 - 02:37 PM

I used to hear this one regularly in my youth, perhaps if you post the bits you remember, I might remember some other bits. Bron.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Folkbloke
Date: 11 Jul 99 - 06:42 PM

As requested, this is all I have. *** denotes missing words.

THE BALLAD OF BETHNAL GREEN.
(Paddy Roberts)

I tell the tale of a jealous male and a maid of sweet sixteen.
She was blonde and dumb and she lived with her Mum *** called Bethnal Green.
She worked all week for a rich old Greek for her Pa was on the Dole.
And her one delight was a Friday night when she had a little rock and roll.
CHORUS: With my rit fal dal to my titty fal dal to my itty bitty fal dal day.

Then one fine day in the month of may she found her big romance.
He was tall and sleek with a scar on his cheek and a pair of Drainpipe pants.
She thought with you I could be so true through all the years to come.
For she loved the Gay Abandoned way he chewed his chewing gum. CHORUS.

***
***
***
Then he turned quite white and he sloshed her right in the middle of her cha cha cha. CHORUS.

He was brought before a man of the law who said this will not do.
I have had enough of the kind of stuff I gets from the likes of you.
And was he peeved when he received a longish time in clink.
In a fit of pique she married the Greek and now she's dressed in mink. CHORUS.

There might even be other verses as well, but this is the way I always sung it. Hope you can help.
[e-mail]

HTML line breaks added, and a few spelling corrections. --JoeClone, 8-Jan-02.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Legal Eagle
Date: 11 Jul 99 - 06:55 PM

I thought if I took the text off to a word processor I would remember some of that but now it's eluding me too.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Folkbloke
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 04:47 AM

Thanks Keep trying. I am and it's Driving me mad. folkbloke.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 06:21 AM

I used to know this as well, but never had it on record. I'll ponder over your lyrics and see if I can dredge the rst from my failing memory banks. (What happens if you give someone with Alzheimer's Viagra? A night to remember)

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 06:37 AM

OK, almost got it:
Missing words in first verse are I think, "in a place called Bethnal Green"
[NOT a "town"] I'm pretty sure of the first two lines of the third verse, the third may be a bit shaky. I don't think there are any more verses.
It stared well because he fell for all her girlish charms
But he had his doubts when he found her out in somebody else's arms
He said:" My dear, [you know, I fear] that is going just a bit too far"

The bits in square brackets are doubtful. A amazing what the brain remembers! It must be all the fish I've eaten in the past week.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Alan B
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 06:41 AM

Don't know why I'm telling you, but I had this record until last year, I've looked everywhere. If it comes to light I'll get back

I suppose this is supposed to give you some kind of hope, but in reality it will only frustrate you

Good luck anyway in your search

Alan B

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 06:51 AM

"started" NOT "stared", of course! Just as the memory recovers, the typing goes to hell!

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Folkbloke
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 01:26 PM

A HUGE THANKYOU TO ROGER THE ZIMMER WHO HAS COME UP TRUMPS. SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM HOW I USED TO SING IT BUT AS SOON AS I READ WHAT YOU POSTED THE OLD GREY CELLS ALL FELL INTO SHAPE. The way I used to sing that 3rd verse as has now come back to me was:

It all went well because he fell for all her girlish charms.
But he had some doubts when he found her out in someone else’s arms
He said 'look here, you know my dear, this is going a bit too far.
Then he turned quite white and he sloshed her right in the middle of her Cha Cha Cha.

My brain can now rest. Hope your typing finger soon mends

Cheers, folkbloke.

HTML line breaks added --JoeClone, 8-Jan-02.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 13 Jul 99 - 03:40 AM

Yes, 'bloke. I was unhappy with my first version & was singing it on the way home in the car to try to get it right and I'm sure your version is correct. The joke,of course, is the prim language that a teddy boy wouldn't have used contrasted with "sloshed".

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Folkbloke
Date: 13 Jul 99 - 10:59 AM

I only wish I could get hold of the words and music to some more of his songs. I m sure he must have written more, and if they are anything like Bethnal Green, they should be heard more. I feel they are definitely a part of our singing tradition.If anyone knows of a publisher who handles or handled paddy's work, or his record label, please let me know.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 13 Jul 99 - 11:19 AM

I agree, he's due for a reissue. I think there was an LP in the "World of" series, it was advertised on the insert to another LP I had, but that was in the days (early '70s)when I had discovered a good source of second hand LPs-mostly jazz & blues- so it was probably already unavailable, or I'd have looked for it then!
I learned his songs off the radio (?early '60s?)so they must have been broadcast fairly frequently, though I can't bring any of the other titles to mind.
I've just had a quick look at AMG and a couple of UK record store sites and he's "unknown".

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Bert
Date: 13 Jul 99 - 02:20 PM

He did an album called "Strictly for grownups"(I think)

A snippet from one of the numbers goes...

When I was a boy scout and you were a brownie
We leaned all the regulations, of which there were lots
We went to the woods and we practiced them over
You did your semaphore while I did my knots.

There was another one called "Love isn't what it used to be" Which contains the classic line "Just grab a handful and damn the finesse"

Yes we certainly need a reissue.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Legal Eagle
Date: 13 Jul 99 - 03:05 PM

There's the one about "I couldn't stand Portuguese in general,and in particular I couldn't stand him"

And there's also

"The French and the Italians/chase their women round like stalions" - and going on to the "the Englishman with his habituel sang-froid (which translated means his usual bloody cold"

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Folkbloke
Date: 13 Jul 99 - 04:54 PM

It appears we are slowly but surely tracking the old genius down. Any further information will be greatly appreciated. I would love to be able to bring his work back into the public domain and get him the credit his wit deserves.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Martin _Ryan
Date: 13 Jul 99 - 08:51 PM

Legal Eagle.

On the subject of Portuguese (and even Portugees), have a look at THIS

and tell me what you know, pleae.

Regards

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Martin _Ryan
Date: 13 Jul 99 - 08:53 PM

Sorry about the unclosed thingy - as the bishop said to the actress. It still works anyway (as....)

Regards

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Folkbloke
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 04:38 AM

Have not come across that particular song Martin, but I suppose at sometime Mr Roberts might well have done, and phrases stuck in his mind, but how many songs start with "I'll tell a tale of......." or similar. I hate to think. (cue for someone to post a bloody great long list of song titles, but I'll take the risk.) I will check in with my Irish expert and see if there is any Historical background to the song and post if there is. Thanks for the interesting angle. regards, Adrian. (folkbloke)

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 04:44 AM

Bert, thanks for reminding me of those two songs, I think... now I'll be fretting till I can remember the remaining lines, so I may curse you later! :o)

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: AndyG
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 05:40 AM

Ah, Roger,
Just to keep you in a fret, you might like to consider The Belle of Barking Creek or The Lavender Cowboy,
(which is different from but clearly based on the DT version)

AndyG

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 06:17 AM

Andy,
Aaaaaaaargh!

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: AndyG
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 06:24 AM

Roger,
Here's your starter for 10

He was just a lavender cowboy,
With only two hairs on his chest,
And he rode on a filly, called daffy-down-dilly,
The prettiest horse in the west.

Andon't like to see a grown man cryG

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Bert
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 10:46 AM

We're getting closer found this site

http://www.geocities.com/Nashville/1242/songbook.html#english010

Bert.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 11:04 AM

Well done, Bert, I can now forgive you for beating me to the "redhair" gag on the pickup line thread!
1959 eh? How time flies! No wonder we can't remember the damn things!
I ought to remember some of the Belle of Barking Creek, if not the Lavender Cowboy.
I think AndyG is just playing with us and really has those lyrics.
Post them, damn you,post them for the love of Max.
Paddy had, shall we say, a limited vocal range, that I can cope with, and I can get away with more if the song is both intended to be funny and is less well known! (The "audience" [six goldfish and the odd frog]don't know what it's supposed to sound like!)
>:o(

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: AndyG
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 11:38 AM

Roger,
I'm sorry but I truly don't have any Paddy Roberts lyrics, though I did once own an album, and it may still exist in my parents house somewhere...
Sadly, or I think so anyway, the following couplets from The Lavender Cowboy have occured to me during the day.

And he rounded up cattle, a-riding side saddle
because he preferred it that way.

He went out on bender and slugged the bartender
And stole all the strawberry gin.

AndyG

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Folkbloke
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 11:45 AM

Ana I thought my problems were solved. I have E-mailed the B.B.C. Record library inthe vain hope they might have some details of recordings but as yet nothing. I'll keep looking though. Keep the thread going and we might get the whole collection together one day. Adrian. (folkbloke.)

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: SueH
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 01:05 PM

someone who is an occasional visitor to our session sings the Portugese song, which has a similar tune to the Ballad of Bethnal Green, I think. I'll try & get the words - it might be a while though.

The only place I have been able to find on the Web is the one listed above, Graham Grainger's site. He obviously has the book, Strictly For Grownups, so if you emailed him (his email address is on the site) he might be able to help you.

SueH

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 01:37 PM

There used to be a housemaster called Priestwood, I think, at a prep school (UK meaning) near Harrow called Orley Farm School who had a collection and occasionally used to let the kids listen. It should be in the book!

Oh, and Dave Bryant, who calls himself the Toto GObbi of the Balls Pond Road and advertises in one of the EFDSS magazines to get gigs also knows at least two of the songs mentioned.

Happy hunting.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 01:38 PM

Ah. With the benefit of hindsight, that should have been Tito Gobbi.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Folkbloke
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 06:36 PM

Will check into all those, Thanks folks. Keep it coming. The great thing would be to get in conyact with some of his family. I would love to produce a tribute show about Paddy and his work. Look forward to your postings. Adrian. ([e-mail]).

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 19 Jul 99 - 03:59 AM

Now I know why I am still married after nearly 30 years !SHE remembers having an EP of Paddy Roberts, alas, long since swiped, she suspects, by a former roommate. However, being MUCH younger than me(as she always tells people), she has remembered more fragments:
Love isn't what it used to be
No siree
No asking papa permission to wed Love...

It's quite apparent that a parent
Is a dear old fashioned thing
He'll dwell for days on a liaison
That hasn't got a wedding ring
Love..

No shrinking violet too scared to say "Yes"
It's just grab a handfull and damn the finesse

And the wolf cub song:
When I was a wolf cub and you were a brownie
We always remembered our good turn each day
First it was your turn and then it was my turn
And life was so wonderful and carefree and gay
Follow me, follow me, tonight is the night of the Jamboree

When I was a wolf cub and you were a brownie
We did all the things a wolf cub and brownie should do
I wanted to be a Boy Scout so I could salute you
With three fingers vertical instead of just two
Follow me...

We'll go to the grotto and get slightly blotto
To hell with the motto
Just follow me.

Still some gaps to fill, but it's growing gradually!

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From:
Date: 20 Jul 99 - 03:00 AM

re the request on Portuguese(Martin Ryan)

the song is called "She Loved a Portuguese" and was written by one P.Cosgill. I have it recorded live in UK by Derek Brimstone in 1974. You can contact him on email at: [e-mail] I hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Folkbloke
Date: 23 Jul 99 - 11:25 AM

Hi Everyone, Thanks for all your help so far. I hope soon to get a copy of the "Strictly for Grown-ups" book. If any of you find any of his records and want to sell them, let me know and if they are within my price range I will be glad to take them off your hands. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Legal Eagle
Date: 23 Jul 99 - 06:41 PM

1. Yes, that's the Portuguese one and I'm sure I remember Paddy Roberts singing it. When I say "I'm sure" I mean of course that I'm not.

2. We have Brimmo for the millennium at our club. Must make sure he does it.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: George
Date: 24 Jul 99 - 05:07 AM

I tell a tale of a jealous male
And a maid of sweet sixteen
She was blonde and dumb and she lived with her Mum
On the fringe of Bethnal Green
She worked all week for a rich old Greek
For her Dad was on the dole.
And her one delight was a Friday night
When she had a little rock and roll.
CHO.

Well all went well because he fell
For all her girlish charms
Until one fine night when he caught her right
In some-one else’s arms
He said, "Look here, you know my dear,
This is going just a bit to far.”
And he went quite white and he slapped her right
In the middle of the cha cha cha
CHO.

He went before a man of the law who
Said, "this will not do. I've had enough
Of this sort of stuff as I'm getting from
The likes of you.”
And was she peeved when he received
A longish term in clink.
In a fit of pique she married the Greek
And now she's dressed in mink^^

HTML line breaks added --JoeClone, 8-Jan-02.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Folkbloke
Date: 24 Jul 99 - 12:21 PM

Thanks George, do you have any more of Paddy's Songs? "Lavender Cowboy" "When I was a Boy Scout & you were a Brownie" etc? Also again, anyone with records or music books of Paddy Roberts songs let me know. Folkbloke

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Mike Jackson
Date: 25 Jul 99 - 03:28 AM

Okay so I'm still getting used to this chat thing.

George's version of the lyrics differ severally from my

I tell the tale of a jealous male

She was blond and and dumb and she with her Mum on the fringe of Bethnal Green

It went quite well because he fell because he fell for all her girlish charms but he wasn't so sure when he caught her out in someone else's arms

I think it was 'her cha cha cha'

The 'cha cha cha' a sort of nudge nudge wink wink euphemism for some un-named naughty part of her.

Having commented on the lyrical variations, there seem to be several recordings of the song and at least one version of the 'Strictly for Grown-ups' album with songs like Lavendar Cowboy and the Boy Scout Song censored

Regards Mike

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From:
Date: 25 Jul 99 - 03:49 PM

The traditional ballad of Bethnal Green is the one involving the blind beggar and his pretty daughter. That's the only one of which I have knowledge.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: AndyG
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 09:20 AM

I now have a tape of the album For Adults Only
The content is most definitely NOT P.C.
Read on in the light of that warning :)

AndyG

Subject: LyrAdd: LAVENDER COWBOY & BELLE OF BARKING CREEK^^
From: AndyG
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 09:21 AM

THE LAVENDER COWBOY
(Paddy Roberts)

Yippee-yi, yippee-yay
Yippee-yi, yippee-yo, yippee-yay
Which sounds rather silly,
But every hillbilly,
Spends half his life singing that way

He was just a lavender cowboy
With only three hairs on his chest
And he rode on a filly
Called Daffy-down-dilly
The prettiest horse in the west

Every morning they went out together
While the others looked on in dismay
For he'd round up the cattle
A-riding sidesaddle
Because he preferred it that way

He was just a lavender cowboy
Who committed a terrrible sin
He went out on a bender
And slugged a bartender
And stole all the strawberry gin

So the posse was sent out to find him
To bring him back dead or alive
And they knew as they went
They were hot on the scent
By the smell of Chanel Number Five

And they found him a-lying unconcious
With blood running all down his chin
'Til they looked a bit closer
And what do you know sir
They found it was strawberry gin

So they shot the lavender cowboy
And they said, as they laid him to rest
"You'll be happier now boy.
You can't be a cowboy
With only three hairs on your chest." ^^

THE BELLE OF BARKING CREEK
(Paddy Roberts)

Oh woe is me, and alas, alack!
A tear rolls down my cheek
As I tell the story of Nelly Clack,
The Belle of Barking Creek.

Her hair is yellow as the morning sun
Except where the black shows through,
And her age has been a steady twenty-one
Since nineteen-forty-two.

And ev'ry day she wheels her barrow
Selling whelks and winkles by the quart,
And she'll only stray from the straight and narrow
When the fleet is home in port.

For a sailor-boy she cannot resist;
Her mind and her knees grow weak,
And every matelot for miles has kissed
The Belle of Barking Creek.

One lovely evening when the moon was new
She stood by the garden gate.
While idly wond'ring what to do,
Poor Nelly met her fate.

A great big stoker by the name of Bert
Had come into town that day,
And he said "Cor blimey, what a piece of skirt!"
And carried her away.

And she darned his socks and she fried his bacon
And she scarcely paused for breath,
And very soon she was overtaken
By a fate that is worse than death.

Then he said, "I'm going but I'll soon be back.
I'll write to you ev'ry week."
But I know darn well that Nelly Clack
Is up the Barking Creek.

^^

AndyG

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 09:47 AM

AndyG
Many thanks for coming up trumps again
tara a bit Roger

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Bert
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 09:56 AM

I want to make it quite clear to you all that the stoker WASN'T ME.

Bert.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BALLAD OF BETHNAL GREEN (P Roberts)^^
From: AndyG
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 10:03 AM

THE BALLAD OF BETHNAL GREEN
Paddy Roberts

1. I tell the tale of a jealous male and a maid of sweet sixteen.
She was blonde and dumb and she lived with her mum on the fringe of Bethnal Green.
She worked all week for a rich old Greek, for her dad was on the dole,
And her one delight was a Friday night when she had a little rock and roll.

CHORUS: To my rit-fal-lal, to my titty-fal-lal,
To my itty-bitty fal-dal-day.
To my rit-fal-lal, to my titty-fal-lal,
To my itty-bitty fal-dal-day.

2. Then one fine day in the month of May, she found her big romance.
He was dark and sleek with a scar on his cheek and a pair of drainpipe pants.
And she thought: "With you I could be so true through all the years to come,"
For she loved the gay abandoned way he chewed his chewing-gum. CHORUS

3. It started well because he fell for all her girlish charms,
But he had some doubt when he caught her out in someone else's arms.
He said, "Look here: you know, my dear, this is going a bit to far."
Then he went quite white and he sloshed her right in the middle of her cha-cha-cha.

4. He went before a man of the law who said, "This will not do.
I've had enough of the sort of stuff I get from the likes of you."
And was she peeved when he received a longish term in clink.
In a fit of pique, she married the Greek and now she's dressed in mink. CHORUS


NB No chorus between verses 3 & 4 on the recording

AndyG ^^

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: AndyG
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 11:00 AM

For Adults Only, track list:
I didn't take notes when I made the recording, sorry

The Ballad Of Bethnal Green
Follow Me
?? this track is a song about love and drinking
Poor Little Country Girl
The Big DJ
I Love Mary
Why Did It All Begin
The Belle Of Barking Creek
The Tattooed Lady (Not Lydia)
Don't Upset the Little Kiddiwinks
Love Isn't What it Used to Be
The Lavender Cowboy
?? The Englishman (with his usual bloody cold)
What's All This Fuss About Love

?? = I can't remember the title.

AndyG

Subject: Add: FOLLOW ME & LOVE ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE^^
From: AndyG
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 02:07 PM

FOLLOW ME
(Paddy Roberts)

When I was a little Wolf-cub and you were a Brownie
We always remembered our good turn each day
First it was your turn and then it was my turn
And life was so wonderful and carefree and gay

Follow me, follow me.
Tonight is the night of the jamboree

When I was a little Wolf-cub and you were a Brownie
We learned all the regulations of which there were lots
We wandered into the clover and tried them all over
And you did your semaphore while I did my knots

Follow me, follow me.
How's about that for a change of key?

When I was a little Wolf-cub and you were a Brownie
We did everything a Wolf-cub and Brownie should do
I wanted to be a Boy Scout so's I could salute you
With three fingers vertical instead of just two

Follow me, follow me.
We'll go to the grotto
We'll get slightly blotto
To hell with the motto
Just follow me ^^

LOVE ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE
(Paddy Roberts)

Love isn't what it used to be,
No sirree, no sirree:
No shrinking violets too scared to say yes,
No leading up to a gentle caress,
Just grab a handful and damn the finesse.
Love isn't what it used to be

Love's getting really up to date,
And the kids think it's great.
No, "Pray unhand me, I'd rather be dead."
No asking Papa permission to wed.
It's just, "Hiya, Honey," and hop into bed.
Love isn't what it used to be

It's quite apparent that a parent
Is a dear old-fashioned thing.
He'll brood for days on a liason
That hasn't got a wedding ring.

But now it's a different cup of tea.
Love is gay, love is free.
Marry on Monday and with no remorse
Set out on Tuesday to get a divorce,
Then find another, on Wednesday of course.
Love isn't what it used to be.

They used to do their minuetting
In a manner most genteel,
But now it's you there with your petting.
It's like a blinking five-course meal.

Yes, love used to be just like champagne.
Now it's gone down the drain,
So don't give them flowers to put round their necks.
What good are flowers? They'd rather have cheques.
To hell with the romance! Let's start on the sex.
Love isn't what it used to,
Love isn't what it used to,
Love isn't what it used to be.

The Englishman (with his usual bloody cold)

Now the Englishman is noted for his sang-froid
Which translated means his usual bloody cold
And he loves his pipe and slippers
And the missus and the nippers
And he's happy simply growing old
And he never says a word if he can help it
That's why people say he's always full of plegm
He's quite unmoved by atom-bombs and rockets to the sun
He never speaks to strangers for it simply isn't done
But when cricket starts, his fury's uncontrolled
The Englishman with his usual bloody cold

Now the Englishman could not be called romantic
His technique is not particularly good
All the French and the Italians
Chase their women round like stallions
But the Englishman's a suet-pud
And the slightest demonstration of affection
He regards as being rather infra dig
He says the way the French behave is absolutely nuts
He'd like to try it really, but he hasn't got the guts
He's scared to death the neighbours might be told
The Englishman with his usual bloody cold

Now the Englishman has lots of little foibles
And some of them are really past belief
For he's still of the opinion
That the folk in each dominion
All regard him as the big white chief
But in spite of all his curious delusions
Underneath it all he has a heart of gold
And when the Armageddon comes and all the world is dust
And men will come to judgement as we know they surely must
He'll be there with his umbrella neatly rolled
The Englishman with his usual bloody cold

^^

AndyG

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Bert
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 03:11 PM

Is it just me or can anyone else see a similarity to Noel Coward in this stuff?
Bert.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Folkbloke
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 04:03 PM

Dear Andy G, Well done and thanks. Brilliant. I don't know how you did it but I owe you one. You say you have a tape of the album. Any chance of running a copyand snail mailing it to me so I can get the dots down? If you can, E-mail me on [e-mail] and let me know. Also let me know where to send the cash for a tape. Thanks again, Adrian (folkbloke)

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Bert
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 04:14 PM

WHen you've finished with the tadpoles Folkbloke, would you send them along to Dick?

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 29 Jul 99 - 03:47 AM

AndyG,
You're what my friends in South London would call a diamond geezer! Many thanks for the transcriptions, I can now recall the ones I knew at the time. Some of them I never knew, must have been banned from the radio! RtZ

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: AndyG
Date: 29 Jul 99 - 05:02 AM

A copy can be done but not immediately I'm afraid. As I said earlier the album is in Manchester whilst I'm in Cambridge. The recording I've got was made in Manchester, is almost drowned by background hiss and is also very quiet. I'll have to get the album back to Cambridge to make a better recording but this won't happen for a couple of weeks yet.

AndyG

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Folkbloke
Date: 29 Jul 99 - 06:23 AM

O.K. Andy Thanks. I've waited this long, another couple of weeks won't hurt. By the way, I am in Hove, Sussex. If you are ever coming down this way let me know. There's a couple of pints waiting here with your name on. Cheers, Adrian. (folkbloke)

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Snuffy
Date: 17 Jul 00 - 07:32 PM

Refresh.

Joe, have you harvested these?

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 08:31 PM

Now I have, Snuffy. Spent all afternoon on them. great stuff.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 01:07 AM

Refresh.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 01:09 AM

I posted the following to a similar thread.

I've come across two thin volumes for sale of Paddy Roberts songs including Barking Creek and Tattooed Lady. They are quite frankly very expensive for what they are and I'm loathe to buy them just to post the lyrics and tunes for the DT. Does anyone else have these please that I might be able to draw upon at some time in the future?

Regards, John

Subject: Lyr Add: TATTOOED LADY (Paddy Roberts)
From: GUEST,Malcolm Smith
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 06:03 AM

Some fragments from memory, apologies if someone has posted better versions and I've failed to spot them.

Dreary biographical note: my cousins in Southend were big Paddy Roberts fans c. 1960, and I can remember my acute embarrassment as my mother, with me in tow, discussed with the man in the record shop whether this would be suitable material for the eleven year old me.
We ended up buying an EP.

TATTOOED LADY
(Paddy Roberts)

Oh, I was a bit of a lad, I admit.
My past was a trifle shady,
Until in the end I went right round the bend
And married a tattooed lady.

I immediately saw there were pictures galore
Round ev'ry available corner.
As I studied her frame very soon I became
An expert in flora and fauna.

On the back of each knee was a small chimpanzee.
On her thigh was a Knight of the Garter,
And just for a laugh, they had put on her calf
Eight bars of the Moonlight Sonata.

One evening I found as I ambled around,
I was feeling an absolute Charlie,
'Cause I couldn't be sure if the sketch on her jaw,
Was Picasso or Salvador Dali.

Some things I found out I just won't talk about;
I find it's inclined to embarrass.
But I give you my word, though it may sound absurd,
It was just like the Louvre in Paris.

On one of her feet you are liable to meet
A master of hounds in his habit,
And right round her waist in impeccable taste
Was a python devouring a rabbit.

I loved all the ships on one side of her hips,
The view in Peru on the other,
But I was struck dumb when I found on her tum,
A caricature of her Mother.

For this was much more than a man can endure,
Though I made the most earnest endeavor,
So I scuffled away, and I’m happy to say,
It was tat-a-tattoo forever,
Tat-a-tattoo forever,
Tat-a-tattoo forever.


Malcolm Smith

HTML line breaks added --JoeClone, 8-Jan-02.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 19 Dec 00 - 11:58 PM

I bought the two Paddy Roberts books 'Strictly For Grown Ups' and 'Paddy Roberts Tries Again'. Also advertised is a third LP 'Paddy Roberts Strikes Again' (presumably it also had a printed song album associated with it). UK publisher was Essex Music.

I'll attempt to fill in the lyric blanks and notate the tunes sometime after Christmas. If too much time elapses please PM me if you need anything more specifically.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 13 Jul 03 - 11:31 AM

WHY DID IT ALL BEGIN
Paddy Roberts (fom memory)

Why did it all begin?
How did I get in this mess I'm in?
I guess I'm in the stew,
Cos you're awful snooty with me my beauty,
And I'm awful tired of you.

We'd done a little drinking,
And the pair of us were stinking
And our first embrace was underneath the table
It was really rather thrilling,
You were ready, you were willing,
And I very soon discovered you were able

Why did I have to fall?
Guess I intended to have a ball,
But now It's all in vain,
Lumbered with you, dear,
My whole life through dear,
Oh, Why did it all begin?

We had done a little drinking
And the pair of us were stinking,
And on top of that the lights were pretty shaded.
It was't 'til the morning
When the sun came up at dawning
That I found my little rose was rather faded.
Then, without any doubt,
You pulled a fast one and caught me out,
You poured me out a gin.
And I had to sign on the dotted line
Oh why did it all begin?

Look what is on my plate
How did I get in this awful state?
This dreadful state I'm in
Lumbered with you, dear,
My whole life through dear,
Oh, Why did it all begin?
Tell me, Why did it all begin?!


(Taken from memory, with assistance from Malcolm Smith's notes above)

Nigel

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Gurney
Date: 14 Jul 03 - 02:38 AM

Late into this one, as usual.
I have the LP 'Paddy Roberts Tries again", with the Dennis Wilson Octet, which has the following tracks:
S1
1/ Let me introduce the boys. (Musical introduction, obviously)
2/ I gave my love a cherry.
3/ You're a square
4/ We've never had it so good
5/ I wanna go home
6/ The belle of Barking Creek
7/ Why did it all begin
S2
1/ An awful lot of bull
2/ I love Mary
3/ The pie-eyed piper
4/ Tattooed lady
5/ We've got to thank Columbus
6/ Whats all this fuss about love

It is Decca Record Co London # LK 4358 1960

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: cobber
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 10:29 AM

The Ballad of Bethnal Green was on an album called the World of British Comedy and it also included a song in similar vein by Marty Feldman. Most of the rest was sketches by people like Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. I think I've still got it. I'll see if I can look it out and maybe make an MP3 of the track.

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 04:25 PM

Dear All,

About 40 years when we bought our first record player (mono of course) having very few records, we borrowed several from a neighbour, one was I think an "EP" (extended play", like a longish single, played I think at 45 rpm) by Paddy Roberts. As well as the Ballad of Bethnal Green (words below according to my memory, a little different from those suggested above, with uncertain words in square brackets) I can remember "The Englishman with his Sang Froid", "Love Isn't what it used to be" and "When I was a Little Wolf Cub and You Were a Brownie" (Thase may not have been the exact titles). Indeed I could probably if pushed remember large bits of the others and certainly the tunes. Not that I thought the tunes or words were out of this world, but as someone (?Noel Coward) once said "How extraordinary is the potency of cheap music" (or similar)!

THE BALLAD OF BETHNAL GREEN


I tell the tale of a jealous male and a maid of sweet sixteen.
She was blonde and dumb and she lived with her Mum on the fringe of Bethnal Green.
She worked all week for a rich old Greek for her dad was on the Dole.
And her one delight was a Friday night when she had a little rock and roll.

CHORUS: To my rit fal dal to my titty fal dal to my itty bitty fal dal day
To my rit fal dal to my titty fal dal to my itty bitty fal dal day.

Then one fine day in the month of May she found her big romance.
He was dark and sleek with a scar on his cheek and a pair of Drainpipe pants.
And she thought "With you I could be so true through all the years to come."
For she loved the Gay Abandoned way he chewed his chewing gum. CHORUS.

It started well because he fell for all her girlish charms
[But he had some doubt] when he caught her out in someone else's arms
He said "Look here, you know my dear, this is going a bit too far"
Then he went quite white and he sloshed her right in the middle of her cha cha cha.
CHORUS.

He went before a man of the law who said "This will not do.
I've had enough of this sort of stuff, By Gad, from the likes of you.
And was she peeved when he received a longish term in clink.
In a fit of pique she married the Greek and now she's dressed in mink.

CHORUS

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 04:04 AM

"I get" NOT "BY Gad"
As posted alredyd by AndyG (where are they now...)in 1999...the correct words.
By one of those spooky coincidences I was singing it (in my head) while on my daily walk yesterday (the forest rangers have requested I don't sing out loud, too many deer are throwing themselves in front of traffic).

RtS
(formerly RtZ)

Subject: RE: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 02:09 PM

Slight variation to Andy G's quote of "The Belle of Barking Creek"
I remember (from the EP version) the verse:
"And all day long she wheels her barrow
And behaves like a good girl ought
And she'll only stray from the straight and narrow
When the fleet is home in port"

as:
"And every day she wheels her barrow
Selling whelks and winkles by the Court*/Quart*
And she only strays from the straight and narrow
When the fleet is home in port."

*(unsure, probably quart),and her trade is reminiscent of one Molly Malone!

Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Still looking for Ballad of Bethnal Green
From: GUEST,sonja
Date: 02 May 05 - 01:52 AM

. . . . . She was blonde and dumb and lived with her Mum on the fringe of Bethnal Green


Looking over all the other submissions, I think that about does it. Looks like you gottem all now.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Bethnal Green (Paddy Roberts)
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 12:13 AM

An English mudcatter visited Sinsull (Barry - I think) and he and I reminisced about the song 'Ballad of Bethnal Green' - when he went back to England this dear man found the words and sent them to me and I have sung it since........great stuff

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Bethnal Green (Paddy Robert
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 01:01 AM

I wonder what happenned to John in Brisbane's books. I hope they went to a good home.

..................

From: John in Brisbane - PM
Date: 19 Dec 00 - 11:58 PM

I bought the two Paddy Roberts books 'Strictly For Grown Ups' and 'Paddy Roberts Tries Again'. Also advertised is a third LP 'Paddy Roberts Strikes Again' (presumably it also had a printed song album associated with it). UK publisher was Essex Music.

I'll attempt to fill in the lyric blanks and notate the tunes sometime after Christmas. If too much time elapses please PM me if you need anything more specifically.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Bethnal Green (Paddy Roberts)
From: AJR
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 07:05 PM

if anyone wants details of the other Bethnal Gtreen" (The blind beggar's dauhter of Bednal Green" as I noticed someone asking, I can supply this having resarched its history.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Bethnal Green (Paddy Robert
From: Celtaddict
Date: 08 Jul 07 - 05:50 PM

I have heard bits of 'Lavender Cowboy' off and on for years and am glad to see words.
One question though:
I have heard another verse (maybe more). There was some mention of his purse. And at some point the sheriff and a posse were after him (for stealing the strawberry gin?) and there was something about the sheriff saying "I'll getcha!" and the lavender cowboy saying, "Ooo, I'll letcha!" Was this perhaps added by someone else along the way?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Bethnal Green (Paddy Roberts)
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 08 Jul 07 - 06:09 PM

There are several Paddy Roberts' CDs on sale at Amazon.co.uk

I'm a lifelong fan.

Subject: RE:Lyrics of the Belle of Barking Creejk)
From: GUEST,Jenny
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 11:55 AM

to Andy G

I distinctly recall that the line was "her age had been a steady 21 since 1942" At the time (1963) I worked out that she was 42. That was the only line I could recall and I was reminded because I just turned 60 and someone described it as "the 39th anniversary of my 21st birthday"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Bethnal Green (Paddy Roberts)
From: GUEST,Silvertonsiren
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 08:20 AM

Can anyone provide the full lyrics for Belle of Barking Creek?
Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Bethnal Green (Paddy Roberts)
From: Gurney
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 04:39 PM

There you go, Silversiren. Look at the 'lyric add' posting.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Bethnal Green (Paddy Robert
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 04:31 AM

Just in case anyone is still interested - The Ballad of Bethnal Green was released on a Decca EP (DFE6584) "Strictly For Grown-ups" and first published in 1959. The other songs were - L'anglais avec son sang-froid, Follow Me and Love isn't what it used to be. This was followed in 1960 by (DFE6641) "Paddy Roberts Strikes Again" - with the songs The belle of Barking Creek, I love Mary, Tattooed Lady and Why did it all begin.
Ray

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Bethnal Green (Paddy Robert
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 02:05 PM

The Belle of Barking Creek was a good one -- don't know the rest.....except of course Ballad of Bethnal Green which was hugely popular...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Bethnal Green (Paddy Roberts)
From: GUEST,Moriarty the dentist
Date: 16 May 09 - 08:24 PM

For the princely sum of 79p you can download the track ( or £7.99 for the entire album) from the itunes store.
Just search 'Paddy Roberts'.

My memories of Douglas Hastie singing the song around a BB campfire are re-kindled.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Bethnal Green (Paddy Roberts)
From: GUEST,Tom Lewis
Date: 02 Apr 10 - 02:05 PM

It went quite well because she fell for all his boyish charm
but she had some doubts when she found him out in someone else arms
Then she said look here you know my dear this is going a bit too far
then she turned quite white and he sloshed her right in the middle of her cha cha cha.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Bethnal Green (Paddy Roberts)
From: GUEST,Tom L
Date: 02 Apr 10 - 02:10 PM

THE BALLAD OF BETHNAL GREEN.
(Paddy Roberts)
I tell the tale of a jealous male and a maid of sweet sixteen.
She was blonde and dumb and she lived with her Mum on the fringe of Bethnal Green.
She worked all week for a rich old Greek for her Pa was on the Dole.
And her one delight was a Friday night when she had a little rock and roll.
CHORUS: With my rit fal dal to my titty fal dal to my itty bitty fal dal day.
Then one fine day in the month of may she found her big romance.
He was tall and sleek with a scar on his cheek and a pair of Drainpipe pants.
She thought with you I could be so true through all the years to come.
For she loved the Gay Abandoned way he chewed his chewing gum. CHORUS.
It went quite well because he fell for all his girlish charms
but he had some doubts when he found her out in someone else arms.
Then he said, look here you know my dear this is going a bit too far,
then he turned quite white and sloshed her right in the middle of her cha cha cha. CHORUS.
He was brought before a man of the law who said this will not do.
I have had enough of the kind of stuff I gets from the likes of you.
And was he peeved when he received a longish time in clink.
In a fit of pique she married the Greek and now she's dressed in mink. CHORUS.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Bethnal Green (Paddy Roberts)
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 24 Feb 13 - 12:34 PM

For me, another of Paddy Roberts' little gems was in French, and to the unlikely !! tune of 'A wee Deoch and Doris-

'Bonsoir ma cherie, comment allez-vous?'
'Je suis tres bien, merci beaucoup'
'Etes-vous fiancee?' 'Ca fait rien'
'Voulez-vous promenade avec moi ce soir?'
'Oui oui'
'Combien?'


sorry about the lack of accents- don't know how to do that but you can see that all those daytrips to Boulogne have paid off...

Subject: Lyr Add: WHY DID IT ALL BEGIN? (Paddy Roberts)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 05:24 PM

WHY DID IT ALL BEGIN
Paddy Roberts

Why did it all begin?
Why did I get in this mess I'm in?
I guess I'm in the stew.
You're awful snooty with me, my beauty,
And I'm awful tired of you.
Look what is on my plate.
Why must I suffer this dreadful fate,
This awful state I'm in?
Lumbered with you dear, my whole life through, dear,
Oh why did it all begin?

We'd done a little drinking,
And the pair of us were stinking.
And our first embrace was underneath the table.
It was really rather thrilling,
You were ready, you were willing,
And I very soon discovered you were able.
But now that I'm on the spot,
'Spose I deserve ev'ry thing I've got.
This sotted clot was I,
But I'll bet a nicker I'm through with liquor,
From now 'til the day I die.

Why did I have to fall?
Guess I intended to have a ball,
But now it's all in vain.
Oh what a night, had the ball alright, yes,
Got me a ball and chain.
You'll find you're not so choosy
When you get a little woozy,
And on top of that the lights were pretty shaded.
It wasn't 'til the morning,
When the sun came up at dawning,
That I found my little rose was rather faded.
Then, without any doubt,
You pulled a fast one and caught me out,
You poured me out a gin.
And I had to sign on the dotted line.
Oh, why did it all begin?
Tell me, Why did it all begin?


Transcribed from "Paddy Roberts tries again"
NP