Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goblins in the Churchyard (music hall) From: Waddon Pete Date: 01 Oct 20 - 07:21 AM Those were the days Rusty. Guess we have to wait and see what happens. Still, at least we have Mudcat! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goblins in the Churchyard (music hall) From: Rusty Dobro Date: 01 Oct 20 - 03:44 AM Reading this thread makes me sad to recall our COVID-blighted Sunday night sessions where WP (and the Goblins!) was a regular. What a long time ago it seems now...... |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goblins in the Churchyard (music hall) From: Steve Gardham Date: 30 Sep 20 - 03:44 PM 3rd verse has similar pieces found in traditional songs. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goblins in the Churchyard (music hall) From: leeneia Date: 30 Sep 20 - 01:34 PM Thanks, everyone. The different versions are fun to read. I enjoyed hearing you at the singaround, Pete. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goblins in the Churchyard (music hall) From: Steve Gardham Date: 29 Sep 20 - 04:50 PM Original sheet music currently on eBay, but you'll need a mortgage! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goblins in the Churchyard (music hall) From: Waddon Pete Date: 29 Sep 20 - 10:43 AM Well, only 8 years late! I sang this at the Mudcat Singaround on September 28th 2020! Well, I went down to the Rose & Crown, I stopped ‘till I got tight. The barman came and turned me out, So I wished them all goodnight! My nearest way to go back home It was through the old churchyard; None of my mates would come that way, It was so very hard. Now as I walked through the old churchyard I heard a noise close by; And six ghosts there all clad in white, Appeared before my eyes! Well, my hair stood up, my knees gave way, They filled me with alarm For each ghost had a coffin lid Tucked underneath their arm. Chorus: Some of the ghosts were short, And some of the ghosts were tall; There they sat in a ghostly row On top of the churchyard wall! They all gave a loud Hoo, Hoo They all gave a loud Ha, Ha! I tried to bid them all goodnight But they would not let me go! Now the oldest ghost hopped on the wall And he began to sing I’ll rise to heaven before you all I doubt they’ll let you in! The other five flew in a rage And wouldn’t hear him at all, They threw their coffin lids at him And knocked him off the wall! Chorus One of the ghosts came up to me And asked me for my name, Likewise my occupation And from where and whence I came “I said, “I come from *******” “Well if for heaven you’d prepare Just tell them your from ******, You’ll be the first from there! Chorus What happened next I can’t remember Somehow very well. When I awoke next morning I was locked in a prison cell They took me before the magistrate; On me he fixed his gaze. “You’ve been found beastly drunk in the churchyard I’ll give you fourteen days!” Put in the place of your choice where it says ******* |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goblins in the Churchyard (music hall) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 24 Sep 12 - 01:09 PM One of those monologues-songs that call for "folk" revisions. W P, would you post your mother's version? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goblins in the Churchyard (music hall) From: Waddon Pete Date: 24 Sep 12 - 11:18 AM Thanks everyone! My cup runneth over with ghosts! My mother sang a different version which may or may not have had a connection. The first verse and chorus was almost identical to that posted by Guest Paul. Afterwards it goes into a completely different story that ends with the subject getting 30 days in the slammer for being beastly drunk in the churchyard! Best wishes, Peter |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goblins in the Churchyard (music hall) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 23 Sep 12 - 11:46 AM "The original copyright 1890, the Harding Brothers, words by M. Cavanagh, music by Walter Hastings." The full monologue- http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/songster/28-the-goblins-in-the-church-yard.htm Don't have time to transcribe now- someone pretty please? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goblins in the Churchyard (music hall) From: GUEST,Paul Date: 23 Sep 12 - 10:14 AM Monologues.co.uk/musichall/ THE GOBLINS IN THE CHURCHYARD Performed by Henri Clark (1840-1905) I went down to the Rose and Crown stopped there till I got tight The Potman came and turned me out, I bade my friends 'Good Night' The nearest way home was to go right through the old church-yard No other chap would come with me, I thought this rather hard Whilst walking 'midst the old grave stones I heard a noise close by I turned, Oh Lor, a dozen ghosts in white met my eye My hair stood up, my knees gave way, they filled me with alarm For each ghost had a coffin lid tucked underneath his arm. Chorus: Some of the ghosts were short and some of the ghosts were tall There they sat in a ghostly row on top of the church-yard wall They all gave a loud Ha, Ha, they all gave a loud Ho, Ho I tried to wish them all 'Good night' but they would not let me go. One of the ghosts began to speak, down on my knees I sank 'I am a cabman's ghost,' said he, 'But now I'm off the rank. I never minded rain or snow, I laughed at mud and slush Each fare that I picked up I used to have upon the 'rush' And if they dared to grumble, why, I used to cuss and swear And once and only once I charged a man the proper fare I even touched my hat to him, no 'extra' did I crave But when I come to think of it, I can't rest in my grave. Chorus: Another ghost commenced, 'Once on a time I would get tight I turned 'tea-total' and in fact a staunch 'blue ribbonite' I used to drink 'tea-total' drinks (The other ghosts here laughed) But I was settled on that ginger beer they sell on draught They held an inquest on me, such a course was only right The Jury gave their verdict in that I deserved it quite Now when you start to wear the 'blue' and give the booze the 'sack' It won't be long before your friends will have to wear the black.' Chorus: A railway servants ghost was there, who soon began to speak 'I used to earn the splendid sum of eighteen bob a week They made us work like negroes, and we could not do a 'shirk' The workhouse was before us, when we got to old to work One day the foreman told me that I was to have a rise I fell down in a fit, brought on by wonder and surprise The shock had been too much for me, for help they quickly ran But when they raised me up I was as dead as good Queen Anne.' Chorus: A lawyer's ghost stood on the wall and then commenced to state 'I rise to plead the noble cause, the cause of six and eight.' The other ghosts get mad with rage, would not hear him at all They threw their coffin lids at him and knocked him off the wall What followed next I can't remember, somehow very well Next day when I awoke I found myself locked in a cell I went before the Magistrate, on me he fixed his gaze 'Found in a church-yard beastly drunk, we'll give you fourteen days.' Chorus: |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE SPOOKS IN THE SQUARE (from 'Punch') From: Jim Dixon Date: 05 Mar 10 - 11:43 PM For what it's worth, here's the song from Punch, December 5, 1891, page 276: POPULAR SONGS RE-SUNG; OR, MISS BOWDLER AT THE MUSIC HALLS. No. III.—THE SPOOKS IN THE SQUARE. AIR—"The Goblins in the Churchyard." 1. I went down to the Psychical Society one night, And heard them talk of Spooks and things that filled me with affright. The Psychical Society, as every member boasts, Was founded with the object of investigating Ghosts! Now Ghosts, the modern species, are of very various sorts, For like some plants, as botanists say, they seem to run to "sports." I used to think a spectre was a spectre, but I find The "Psychical" can furnish Spooks of every class and kind. CHORUS. Some of the Ghosts are little; some of the Ghosts are big. Some come in the guise of a headless man, and some of a spectre pig. Some of them laugh "Ha! ha!" Some of them wail "Heigho!" And I felt that night in a doose of a fright before it was time to go. 2. I had read Phantasmagoria by that writer quaint but grand, Who penned The Hunting of the Snark and Alice in Wonderland. And I thought I knew a thing or two, or might be even three, About a Ghoul, and a Fay or Troll, and a Brownie or Banshee. I knew that a Banshee always howled, whilst a Goblin might but yawn, I also knew that a Poltergeist was not a Leprechaun, But the Psychicals, I'm bound to say, had me on "buttered toastes" With the wonderful changes which they rang on the good old Churchyard "Ghostes." CHORUS. Some of their Ghosts were sages; some of them seemed sheer noddies; Some of the same like a "Wandering Flame" and others as "Astral Bodies." Some of theirs croaked "Ha! ha!" Some of them chuckled "Ho! ho!" And I got so sad, I was heartily glad when I found it was time to go. 3. I dropped into the "Rose and Crown," a highly respectable tavern, For Ghosts are dry, and my thirst was high, my throat like a chalky cavern. I didn't have much, only four of cold Scotch, which is good to moisten chalk. The night was fine, it was twelve twenty-nine, so I thought I might just as well walk. But when I entered Trafalgar Square, I heard a mysterious sound. There was not even a Bobby in sight as I stole a glance around, But seated on Nelson's lions four, and perched on the neighbouring "posteses," I saw, as we said in our Nursery Rhyme, a dozen or so of "Ghosteses"! CHORUS. Some of the Ghosts were short; some of the Ghosts were tall; Some of them had most preposterous noddles, and some of them none at all. They all gave a shrill "Ha! ha!" They all gave a hushed "Ho! ho!" I turned in a fright and I wished 'em good night—but they would not let me go! 4. Then one of the Ghosts began to speak. Down on my knees I sank. "I am a Nobleman's Ghost," said he, "and mine offence is Rank! I never cared for the Common Herd, the People I loved to crush. My only remark on the Poor was 'Pooh!' my retort to the Toilers 'Tush!' And if they dared to grumble, why, I used to raise my rents, For I always held that the Mob were made to keep up the Cent-per-cents, And now in this Square I hear Burns's blare, see the Red Banner wave, And Society swished by the Socialist; so I cannot rest in my grave." CHORUS—Some of the Ghosts, &c. 5. Another Ghost commenced. He said: "I was a great R. A. (I remember the time when we used to meet in "the pepper-pots," over the way), My daubs were always hung on the line, for ourselves we used to judge, Our sole Ideal conventional cant, our technique broad brown smudge. And now Burne Jones's pictures sell!!!"—here he writhed with a spectral twist— "And our 'broad brown smudge' gives way to the fudge cranks call 'Impressionist.' I've lost my head, as perhaps you mark—though I keep a ventriloquist tongue. What's the use of a head to an Artist Ghost, who has never a chance to be hung?" CHORUS—Some of the Ghosts, &c. 6. A Lawyer's Ghost wept on his post, and then began to state That the Revolution of Sixty-eight—he meant of Six-and-eight— For the abolition of needless fees, and the stopping of useless jaw, Had capped the murder of Privilege by the massacre of Law: Order, this Spook went on to state, was the prey of police-less prank, All the real jam of life was lost with the abolition of Rank. Here he wept! Ah! can there be a sight a pitiful breast to thrill Like the Ghost of a Lawyer dropping a tear o'er the Ghost of a Lawyer's Bill? Chorus—Some of the Ghosts, &c. 7. I woke. A pain possessed my head. The gathered Ghosts were gone, And I lay there in Trafalgar Square, on a cold stone alone. I seemed to hear a wailing cry, a whisper on the breeze, Which said, in accents I well knew, "Now then, Time, Gentlemen, please!" It may have been the warning to recall those vagrant Ghosts To—wheresoever they abide, poor pallid spectral hosts! What it all meant I cannot tell, but this at least I know, To that Psychical Society no more at night I'll go! CHORUS. Some of the Ghosts did goggle. Some of the Spooks did stare, But there they sat in a spectral row round "the Squirts" in Trafalgar Square. They all gave a loud "Ha! ha!" They all gave a loud "Ho! ho!" And I turned and fled, and got home to bed as the rooster began to crow! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Waddon Pete Date: 02 Mar 10 - 12:07 PM Turns out that W. Hastings was a song writer. He is also credited with a song called, "You're as sweet as the Rose of Tralee." This also seems to have slid into obscurity, but you can buy a copy on-line! Any more takers for the short and tall ghosts? Best wishes, Peter |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Waddon Pete Date: 01 Mar 10 - 11:27 AM Thanks Mick, That date would seem to tie in nicely with the Punch Parody. We make progress... Thanks for taking the time. Best wishes, Peter |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 27 Feb 10 - 12:00 PM The BL catalogue entry for Goblins In The Churchyard has the author given as W.T.Webb, but the title given as Goblins In The Churchyard [song] written by W.Hastings etc, published London:Francis Bros. & Day [1888]. They appear to hold one copy (Oxford OLIS/OPAC shows no entries there). The authorship seems strange unless Hastings is a pseudonym for Clark (or unless Clark and Webb were editors of some kind). It would be nice for someone going to the BL to check. I've checked a handful of sheet music collections (sadly all in the US; as oft before I bemoan the fact that we don't seem to have any online collections in the UK, which might be useful in this case). No hits for either ghosts of goblins yet, though I've by no means checked all the sheet music collections yet. I'll do a bit more later and report back. Mick |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Waddon Pete Date: 27 Feb 10 - 11:10 AM Well....we inch forward with this..maybe there is some-one out there who has the definitive answer or can point us in the right direction? Gavin Atkin was very helpful, by the way. Thanks Gavin. There do appear to be some mondegreens in the Veteran CD version which Gavin helped out with. Nothing so far in Levy. Does anyone know of any other on-line archives that might have it? Best wishes, Peter |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Waddon Pete Date: 26 Feb 10 - 11:53 AM That's a great lead, Valmai! Thanks! Best wishes, Peter |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Valmai Goodyear Date: 26 Feb 10 - 11:35 AM Gavin Atkin of the band Florida sings it. He runs the Bell & Jorrocks sessions in Kent. 'Bell & Jorrocks sessions Informal music and song sessions take place at the Bell & Jorrocks, Frittenden, on the last Sunday of the month from September to May. We enjoy old-fashioned songs, traditional songs, tunes, step dancing and stories, just as people used to before television and computers took over. Naturally, the emphasis is on a varied and entertaining evening. All are welcome. We start at 8pm and continue until it's time for Nellie Dean. The event is organised by Julie and Gavin Atkin. Call Gavin 07985 522734 for information, or email gmatkin@gmail.com.' |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Waddon Pete Date: 26 Feb 10 - 11:31 AM |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Waddon Pete Date: 26 Feb 10 - 10:44 AM That's fascinating Artful, thanks. Any more leads out there? For Punch to think it was a popular song, it must have been well known in its day. Best wishes, Peter |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Artful Codger Date: 25 Feb 10 - 04:35 PM According to the snippet view at Google Books of Die Music-Hall Songs und das öffentliche Leben Englands... by Eberhard Voight, "Goblins in the Churchyard" was written by H. Clark (CSA 8 1888) and contains lines like: A railway servant's ghost: "I used to earn the splendid sum of 18 bob a week... They made us work like niggers... The workhouse was before us when we got too old to work Authorship by Clark is confirmed by a snippet in another cataloguing book. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Waddon Pete Date: 25 Feb 10 - 02:18 PM That's wonderful Ian! Thanks for posting again. I guess there must be a song sheet somewhere with it on..... Best wishes, Peter |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: IanC Date: 25 Feb 10 - 12:03 PM Seems to have lost one of my posts. The "Goblins In The Churchyard" song is perfectly real ... the North Otago Times for 1898 has it sung in a concert at Pukeuri by Mr R Cuthbertson. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Waddon Pete Date: 25 Feb 10 - 12:02 PM Thanks.... I know of the Punch Parody and, given that it is titled "Popular Songs Resung" I am fairly certain that there was an original song to be parodied! The Parody Chorus doesn't fit the tune Mum sang it to either. Any more thoughts would be welcomed! Best wishes, Peter |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: matt milton Date: 25 Feb 10 - 11:17 AM that Punch parody is pretty fantastic anyway. It'd be great if there was a tune to fit to it... |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: IanC Date: 25 Feb 10 - 07:59 AM The chorus in Punch is variable, but the nearest to what's been given in the version above is ... Some of the Ghosts were short, some of the Ghosts were tall, Some of them had most preposterous noddles, and some of them none at all, They all gave a shrill "Ha! ha!" they all gave a hushed "Ho! ho!" I turned in a fright and I wished 'em good night—but they would not let me go! Close enough for oral transmission, I'd say. :-) |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: IanC Date: 25 Feb 10 - 07:54 AM The song (and it doesn't look as if the version above is so much an original as a variant of the Punch version) in Punch was from December 1891 ... scroll down to page 276 where it appears as "The Spooks In The Square". It was presumably a parody of an earlier song called "The Goblins In The Churchyard" as this is the tune name given. :-) |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Mr Happy Date: 25 Feb 10 - 07:41 AM This site's usually pretty good for old music hall stuff http://monologues.co.uk/ |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Waddon Pete Date: 25 Feb 10 - 07:35 AM I was lucky in having 3 relations who trod the music hall stage. Sadly none of their repertoire survives, but I'll bet my Mum heard it off of one of them and the chorus stuck....as it has with me. Any chance anyone else can help track it down? Best wishes, Peter |
Subject: Lyr Req: Ghostly Music Hall Song From: Waddon Pete Date: 24 Feb 10 - 05:07 PM Hello, I have to admit that this one has me flummoxed. My Mum used to sing the chorus of the song, but either never knew, (or never admitted that she knew), the rest of the song. The chorus goes: "Some of the ghosts were short, Some of the ghosts were tall. There they sat in a ghostly row On the top of the churchyard wall. They all gave a loud Ha Ha They all gave a loud Ho Ho I tried to bid them all goodnight But they would not let me go!" I guess Mum would have heard it sung at family celebrations in the years before the 1st World War. I know a parody of the song appears in Punch in December 1898. I know a version is sung on one of Veteran's excellent 'Songs sung in Suffolk' CDs, but does anyone know the original? The tune give by Punch is "The Goblins in the Churchyard" but that might be artistic license as I can't find that either! Any thoughts anyone? Best wishes, Peter |
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