Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN I WAS A LAD (Nicky Newsome)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Nov 09 - 03:06 PM

I came across these lyrics at http://www.belfastforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=4049.154, while I was looking for information on When I Were a Lad. This one of those 97 Irish Pub Songs songs, but I suppose somebody might want it sometime. My Internet is crippled right now so I can't watch YouTube videos very easily, but there's a Liverpool version by John Dolan of this song at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twleiBxzbG0.
There's also a YouTube recording by Barnbrack here (click). I made some corrections to the text below, based on the Barnbrack recording. There's also a Frank McCaffrey recording, and one from somebody named Farmer Dan . Anybody want to transcribe the Liverpool lyrics? Anybody know who the songwriter was?

WHEN I WAS A LAD
songwriter: ??

Rows of back to back houses, covered in smoke and grime
Children skipping in the street, and washing on the line
A scarf tucked down your jersey, to keep you from the cold
I wore a woolly balaclava when I was nine years old

Chorus
When I was a lad, neighbours were neighbours
When I was a lad, doing you favours
People giving people a hand, no matter how small
When I was a lad, dolly (?) mixtures
When I was a lad, Saturday pictures
When I was a lad, those were the greatest days of all

School from Monday to Friday, I learned to read and write
Grandad sitting on the doorstep in the fading light
Tin bath hanging from a six-inch nail, lino on the floor
Lavatory out in the back-yard, sit with your foot against the door
Chorus

Times were hard in winter, but mother kept us fed
All night huddled round the fireside, overcoats on the bed
We were a great big family, we all slept head to toe
In a big brass bed up in the backroom, and it seems so long ago
Chorus


Is there more? Corrections? The only thing that I'm unsure about is "dolly mixtures." What's that?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad
From: GUEST,slowerairs
Date: 06 Nov 09 - 06:27 PM

Dolly mixtures are small sweets usually bought by children

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad
From: Bill H //\\
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 05:20 PM

I gues you did not mean the wonderful patter song from W S Gilbert---When I Was A Lad---from HMS Pinafore.

Bill Hahn

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN I WAS A LAD (LIVERPOOL VERSION)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 11:01 AM

Here's my transcription from the YouTube video. There are still a few gaps indicated by "...". I have "wikified" the terms that I thought could use some explanation.

WHEN I WAS A LAD (LIVERPOOL VERSION)

1. Sittin' in the parlor ... listnin' to the ... sing,
Watchin' me mam on the piano. Boy could she make it ring!
Goin' on the ferry 'cross the Mersey on the deck of the Daffodil,
The Dodgems in New Brighton, it was such a thrill.

CHORUS: When I was a lad, neighbors were neighbors.
When I was a lad, we did each other favors.
Everybody's front door was open; you didn't need a key.
When I was a lad, you could come to our house.
When I was a lad, have a pan of our scouse.
We didn't have much but we were as happy as can be.

2. Goin' for a week down in Butlin's, the ... by the sea
We'd torment the ... of the redcoats, all me mates and me
Ev'ry day in summer was a warm one, off for a paddle or a swim,
Stay out in the fading light till me mam would call us in.

3. Go on with me now to Paddy's Market, buyin' some tripe for tea
Then back for ... on the wireless, sittin' on me granddad's knee.
Goin' to the flicks Sat'd'y mornin', Flash Gordon on the screen.
Getting chucked off the bus by the conductor, and me mam sayin' "Where've you been?"

4. Things aren't quite the same now for most the folks you meet.
Kids would rather play on the computer than ride a bike in the street,
But I still love this city, and the people too.
My heart belongs to Liverpool 'cause that's the place I grew.

AFTER LAST CHORUS:
When I was a lad in Liverpool, that was the place to be,
When I was a lad.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 08:58 AM

i don't know who wrote it but the houghton weavers covered it on a casset that i've got! :)
Dave

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 09:01 AM

oh and dolly mixtures are sweets! ha! and yes its correct! :)
Dave

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: goatfell
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 06:28 AM

I'm an adult and I buy Dolly mixtures so do other adults as well

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: Mr Fox
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 06:54 PM

Despite the fact that all recordings of the song appear to be by Irish artists, I have a feeling that it might have been written by Mike Harding. I'm pretty sure I've heard him sing it anyway.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 06:45 PM

dolly mixture are sweets you get in northern ireland :) quite nice lol

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 03:39 PM

this is my FAVOURITE song, <333

i wanna know who sings it too!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,Dave Smith
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 08:15 PM

"WHEN AH WERE A LAD" was written by Nicky Newsome (professional Comedian/Writer) in the late 70's and recorded by Nicky along with five other original songs and four tracks of live patter. It was a concept album about growing up in Bradford ,Yorkshire, where Nicky originates. He now lives and still works in Blackpool. it was released in '81 on the Court Jester Label at Park Lane Studios, and is registered with PRS and MCPS with Nicky's own publishing company Shellbell Music., if you search Nicky Newsome "When ah were a Lad" (its proper dialect title) you may find some of the original Vinyl albums offered on line. Tom 'O Connor was the first to use it and he changed the line Courdroy Breeches to Dolly Mixtures in his live show,"wooly Balaclava" was "leather Helmet with a neb on" and "big bed up in the back room" was "a great big bed up in the attic" Barnbrack copied tom's version and recorded it, as did Houghton Weavers, Frank Mc Caffrey and many others, who all seem to take for granted its a Traditional song, and are giving no credit of any kind to Nicky, something perhaps that needs sorting out.
Many Liverpool people know the song as it was played regularly by Billy Butler on Radio Merseyside in the 80's., and apparently several acts have seen fit to change the lyrics to suit themselves ad hoc. I wonder if they need permission of the writer to do this kind of thing, as it is then presented as their work. Anyone else got information or ideas?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,ronnie allan jnr
Date: 29 Apr 11 - 08:45 AM

this is a song always sung down the dock rd by kenny docherty in the atlantic pub,remember it well

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 05:52 AM

I know it's an old thread but I thought it may have been this song. One of my favourites.

Maybe worthwhile combining all the 'When I was a lad' songs?

MP

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 08:29 AM

I saw Comedian tom O'Connor sing this at Butlins once, according to him the late actor Bill Owen of Compo fame wrote it. Anyone have the guitar chords to it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 03:56 PM

Well as the Brother of the man who wrote the music and words to this song and produced an album of the same name of which it is the title song.
It was Bradford born Comedian Nicky Newsome.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: Gurney
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 04:20 PM

The Houghton Weavers tape 'Lancashire Lads' credits Fay & McVey for this song, and calls it 'When I was a Lad.'
As my Bradford-born wife says, what would they know?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,jamie
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 04:41 PM

the closet artist that can be found to be singing this song is an irish group called barnbrack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbSxaz2__dM

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,Medleysam
Date: 14 Jul 14 - 06:41 AM

Love this song When I was a lad .
As played by Barnbrack.
Does anyone have the cords ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,Bert.
Date: 26 Jul 14 - 07:29 AM

I have a cassette (not c.d.) of Nicky Newsome singing When Ah Was A Lad , given to me in person In 1985 from Dave Smith . I have known him since we wher born next door but one to each other. I still have the tape as proof he recorded it some time before 1985 . Recorded at park Lane Studios LANCS.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 26 Jul 14 - 11:26 AM

From the Oldham Tinkers.........

When I were a lad, times were really quite bad
but not quite as bad as when me Dad were a lad
and when me Dad where a lad they were nearly as bad
as when me Dads Dad were a lad

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,Medleysam
Date: 31 Jul 14 - 06:43 AM

Still searching for the cords for When I Was A Lad. by Nicky Newsome and played by Barnbrack   If anyone has the cords could they post them ,thanks got the lyres

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN I WAS A LAD FROM LIVERPOOL
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 11:57 AM

I found this version on Spotify. Chords and lyrics (but with a few different words) can be found here, where it is called WHEN I WAS A LAD – BIRKENHEAD VERSION.


WHEN I WAS A LAD FROM LIVERPOOL
As sung by Larry White

1. Connie-onnie butties by the pier-head, waitin' for the ferry to arrive,
Throwin' all me crusts at the seagulls when I was only five,
Paddlin' in the Mersey, cocklin' on Moreton shore,
Runnin' all the way to New Brighton, me feet got black and sore.

CHORUS: When I was a lad, you could come to our house.
When I was a lad, have a pan of blind scouse,
Stand in the jigger(?) as we listened to the patter of the rain,
When I was a lad, hidin' in the coal shed,
When I was a lad, playin' in me mam's bed,
When I was a lad from Liverpool, who could ask for more?

2. I remember me nan's house; she lived in Scottie Road.
Help her put the washing through the mangle; it was such a heavy load.
Waitin' for me dad outside the boozer, pitchin' toss in the street.
If he got lucky on the horses, he'd give us all a tanner as a treat. CHORUS

3. School from Monday to Friday, I learned to read and write,
Granddad sittin' on the doorstep in the fading light,
Tin bath hangin' from a six-inch nail, lino on the floor,
Lavat'ry out in the back yard, sit with your foot against the door. CHORUS

4. Times were hard in winter, but mother kept us fed,
All night huddled round the fireside, overcoats on the bed.
We were a great big family; we all slept head to toe
In a big brass bed up in the back room; it seems so long ago. CHORUS

5. Things aren't quite the same now; the trams have said goodbye.
Our old house is a car park, sev'ral stories high;
But still I love this Liverpool; it's where I plan to die,
Unless just one thing happens: the liver birds learn to fly. CHORUS

When I was a lad, those were the greatest days of all.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN I WAS A LAD (parody by Allan Sherman
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 12:31 PM

This one is a parody of the Gilbert & Sullivan song. It was probably inspired in part by The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, a popular novel in 1955, which was made into a film in 1956.


WHEN I WAS A LAD
As sung by Allan Sherman on "My Son, the Celebrity" (1963)

1. When I was a lad, I went to Yale,
And I knew then that I could never fail,
For I studied very hard, and furthermore,
I polished up the apple for the professore.
(He polished up the apple for the professore.)
I polished up the apple so frequently
That soon I had a Phi Beta Kappa key.
(He soon had a Phi Beta Kappa key
From polishing the apple very frequently.)

2. On graduation day, I made a stop
At a very exclusive clothing shop.
I opened up a charge account and asked them for
The best-grade flannel in the clothing store.
(The best grade flannel in the clothing store.)
That suit was a part of a great intrigue
For it proved I was a member of the Ivy League.
(It was part of a great intrigue
For it proved he was a member of the Ivy League.)

3. Then I got a crew cut and a sincere tie,
And for my first job I did apply:
A job in an advertising agency,
Sharpening the pencils of a big VP.
(Oh, he honed a lot of pencils for a big VP.)
I sharpened all the pencils so pointedly
That now I am a partner in the agency.
(He sharpened all the pencils so pointedly
That now he is a member of the agency.)

4. I kept my ears open and my big mouth shut
And I learned all the agency's scuttlebutt.
I learned who was going out with whom,
And who had the keys to the powder room.
(And who had the keys to the powder room.)
For the key to the powder room, you see,
Is the key to the structure of the agency.
(The keys to the powder room
Is the key to the structure of the agency.)

5. I worked real hard for the dear old firm.
I learned most ev'ry advertising term.
I said to the men in the dark gray suits:
"Let's run it up the flagpole and see who salutes."
(Let's run it up the flagpole and see who salutes.)
I ran it up the flagpole perfectly,
So now I am a partner in the agency.
(He ran it up the flagpole perfectly,
So now he is a partner in the agency.)

6. Now, I have a big office at the end of the hall
With very fancy carpeting from wall to wall.
I keep my mouth open and I keep my ears shut,
And I've got a little palace in Connecticut.
(And he's got a little palace in Connecticut.)
So I thank old Yale, and I thank the Lord,
And I also thank my father who is chairman of the board.
(And he's grateful to his father,
Yes, he's grateful to his father,
Yes, he's grateful to his father,
Who's the chairman of the board.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,Fred
Date: 11 Mar 16 - 07:45 AM

Dolly mixtures - little sweets - like lido ice all sorts but much smallerfr

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,a big fan
Date: 27 Jun 16 - 04:11 PM

Thank you very much ,I've been searching for these lyrics ,for the Houghton Weavers version of the song , they remind me of when I was a lad in the 1940's

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,Geoff the Duck
Date: 28 Jun 16 - 04:14 AM

I Just did a web search and found a couple of links which tie in to what people have posted earlier in the thread.

One link to the LP where song was originally appeared
https://www.discogs.com/Nicky-Newsome-When-Ah-Were-A-Lad-/release/5274612 .

The other is info about Nicky Newsome
http://comedians4u.co.uk/comedian/nicky-newsome/

Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,Geoff the Duck
Date: 28 Jun 16 - 04:18 AM

Oh - and to keep things correct,
Note the wording and spelling of the song title

"When Ah Were A Lad!"

Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,Ryszard
Date: 23 Feb 18 - 04:46 PM

verse 1. Sittin' in the parlour at a party list'nin' to the owd? ones sing
verse 2 'Goin' for a week down in Butlin's, Pwllheli by the sea

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 18 - 04:53 PM

verse 3 second line Then back for footie (football) on the wireless, sittin' on me granddad's knee.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,Ryszard
Date: 23 Feb 18 - 05:07 PM

chorus When I was a lad, have a pan o' blind scouse.
Scouse is a thick chunky stew served with crusty bread.
Blind Scouse is the term for Scouse without meat

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 24 Feb 18 - 07:49 AM

I think the G&S one is why my sister became a lawyer. Well, that and Perry Mason.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,R H
Date: 07 Dec 18 - 09:37 AM

Is there a Disc with this version on? if so were can I get it

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: GUEST,Richard H
Date: 07 Dec 18 - 09:44 AM

I'm an 87 year old born in South Bank ( near Middlesbrough) Yorkshire and this reminds me so much of Slaggy Island and I would so love to get a Disk an anyone tell me were I can buy one? Thank you richard

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Dec 18 - 11:14 AM

If you scan through the thread, this information is embedded there:

https://www.discogs.com/Nicky-Newsome-When-Ah-Were-A-Lad-/release/5274612 maybe buy it here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twleiBxzbG0 listen to it here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)
From: Gurney
Date: 09 Dec 18 - 01:56 PM

I have it on a recording by The Fivepenny Piece.
I'll check later.