Lyr Req: Big-Hearted Arthur (Askey)

Subject: Lyr Req: Big-Hearted Arthur (Askey)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 02:09 AM

The great 1930s-40s music-hall & wireless comedian Arthur Askey [1900-82] (catchphrase "I thank you", always actually pronounced "I theng yow") always closed his act with a song called "Big-Hearted Arthur" ~~ It began and ended each verse, "Big-Hearted Arthur they call me, Big-Hearted Arthur, that's me": followed by another couplet ending with the -e sound, such as "Clean if I'm not very clever, But that's coz I've got to be"; followed in turn by an infinitely variable middle-three. One that has stuck in my mind for about 69 years went:

"I went with a man to a pub t'other day
And as you may guess we both wanted to pay
And I am so generous I gave away
~~ Big-Hearted Arthur they call me
Big-Hearted Arthur, that's me."

Do any other similarly elderly Catters recall any more of these verses?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Big-Hearted Arthur (Askey)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 03 Mar 10 - 12:23 AM

r - try once more in case any Oldie remembers ...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Big-Hearted Arthur (Askey)
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 03 Mar 10 - 08:34 PM

There's a various-artists album called "Wireless Comedy Shows: Bandwaggon and Happidrome" (sic) (Hallmark Recordings (UK) 2008) which contains a cut called "Big Hearted Arthur: I Thank You!" by Arthur Askey.

That's all I've found so far.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Big-Hearted Arthur (Askey)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 03 Mar 10 - 09:25 PM

Many thanks, Jim. Yes, indeed, 'Happidrome'. Every week on the same night. Went out live from the Paris Cinema studio in Lower Regent Street. I know, because I once had a ticket at age 11, 1943. Thy all stood round the mics, scripts in hand, and read from them. The great Suzette Tarri topped the bill that night. I described the occasion on a Radio 2 programme about her a few years ago.

Anyone else any more info on Big-❤d?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Big-Hearted Arthur (Askey)
From: GUEST,Suibhne (Astray)
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 02:33 PM

Love the man; Arthur & Stinker are an absolute joy to this day. Here's his anthem for neo-Pagans: Hello to the Sun

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Big-Hearted Arthur (Askey)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 04:00 PM

Jim n Sweeney ~~~~~

I theng yow!!!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Big-Hearted Arthur (Askey)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 06:54 AM

YouTube has an entire episode of "Band Waggon" from 30-Sep-1939, in 5 parts:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5.

The theme song, BIG-HEARTED ARTHUR, comes at the end of part 4. 2 or 3 lines in the middle are unintelligible (to me):

Big-hearted Arthur they call me.
Big-hearted Arthur, that's me.
Clean, if I'm not very clever,
But only 'cos I've got to be.
...
...
Big-hearted Arthur they call me.
Big-hearted Arthur, that's me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Big-Hearted Arthur (Askey)
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 07:00 AM

Try searching on herehttp://monologues.co.uk/
, there's piles've all sorts've stuff!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Big-Hearted Arthur (Askey)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 05:50 AM

Jim: Many thanks for finding those old Band Wagons on YouTube. I agree that the variable middle 3 of the Bighearted verse unintelligible in this case; twas not always so. Anyone know any more of them?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Big-Hearted Arthur (Askey)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 05:53 AM

Mr Happy ~ many thanks for yr suggestion. But the Askey songs included are as follows

ARTHUR ASKEY
The Bee Song
The Seagull
The Thing-Ummy-Bob
The Villain Still Pursued Her
All To Specification

& don't alas include the Big❤d which I seek. Sods Law!!!

Subject: Lyr Add: BIG-HEARTED ARTHUR THEY CALL ME (A Askey)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Nov 18 - 10:52 AM

BIG-HEARTED ARTHUR THEY CALL ME (POSTSCRIPT)
As recorded by Arthur Askey on “Hello Playmates” (2017)

Big-hearted Arthur they call me.
Big-hearted Arthur, that’s me!
Clean if I’m not very clever,
But only ’cause I’ve got to be.
I have enjoyed making this record for you.
If you’ve enjoyed listening, here’s what you can do:
Buy one for a friend, or better still, two.
Big-hearted Arthur they call me.
Big-hearted Arthur, that’s me!

[SPOKEN, SOTTO VOCE:] Psst! I say, when you put me back in the cupboard, put me between Madam Butterfly and The Girl with the Flaxen Hair. You will? I theng yow!

Big hearted Arthur they call me.
Big hearted Arthur, that’s me!