Lyr Req: Day Trip from Barnehurst

Subject: Lyr Req: Parody of 'Day Trip To Bangor'
From: Girl Friday
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 10:37 AM

A train from Barnehurst in Kent to Blackfriars in London famously never ran. It became so infamous that a song sprung up which began

What a shame there's never a train from Barnehurst to Blackfriars...

Anyone have any more words ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Parody of 'Day Trip To Bangor'
From: G-Force
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 12:10 PM

It was released as a single and got a lot of airplay at the time (about 1979?).

I remember one line: ' . . . twiddling our thumbs and scratching our bums as the clock goes round."

Subject: Lyr Add: DAY TRIP FROM BARNEHURST
From: GUEST,oaktree
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 01:04 PM

The internet says:

DAY TRIP FROM BARNEHURST
Jackie and the Commuters

[Chorus]
Ain't it a shame? There's never a train from Barnehurst to Blackfriars,
'Cause we'll guarantee, that you'll never see, the train that leaves at 8:14.
There's a hell of a lack of train on the track; these things are sent to try us,
Twiddling our thumbs and scratching our bums as the clock goes round.

[Verse1]
I got here at 8, so I wouldn't be late; the Porter started laughing:
"I doubt if the train will come here again; I ain't seen one since 1940.
If you're in luck and don't give a damn, you'll maybe get one later."
I gave him my mind, got arrested and fined, and the clock goes round.

[Chorus]

[Verse2]
It's amazing you'll find out what passes the time, while waiting at the station.
There's a woman who cooks, a man who reads books – committed "War and Peace" to mem'ry.
Fred met his wife, the love of his life, and soon became a father.
The kids have all grown, and must have left home, and the clock goes round.

[Chorus]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Parody of 'Day Trip To Bangor'
From: Girl Friday
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 07:34 AM

Brilliant stuff - thank you very much oaktree. When this song came out I was l;iving in South West London and heard about the 8.14 from Bar4nhurst to Blackfriars every morning on Capital Radio Travel. Now I've moved to North West Kent, I know exactly where it is.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Parody of 'Day Trip To Bangor'
From: GUEST,oaktree
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 06:17 PM

You're welcome, Girl Friday. I only vaguely remembered the song, so reading the lyrics gave me a laugh when I found them.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 8.14 from Barnehurst to Blackfriars
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 05:57 AM

It was played on Capital Radio each morning by Mike Smith, dedicated to those poor long-suffering commuters. "Ain't it a shame there's never a train from Barnehurst to Blackfriars, we guarantee that you'll never see the train that runs at 8.14. There's a hell of a lack of train on the track, these things are sent to try us...." and I think it ends,"And the wheels went round" Original was by Fiddlers Dram but I can't who did this parody?
Stu

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 8.14 from Barnehurst to Blackfriars
From: Girl Friday
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 09:16 AM

I thought it was Graham Dene - it was a long time ago.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 8.14 from Barnehurst to Blackfriars
From: GUEST,barnabear
Date: 25 Sep 10 - 06:55 PM

It was "Jackie and the Commuters". I love this song, recently bought the 45 on eBay. Very funny blast from the past. I was living in Banstead near Epsom at the time. Good old Capitol Radio.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 8.14 from Barnehurst to Blackfriars
From: GUEST,barnabear
Date: 25 Sep 10 - 06:57 PM

.... and the title of the song is "Day Trip from Barnehurst"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 8.14 from Barnehurst to Blackfriars
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 06:27 AM

hi, would you like to sell your copy of the record?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 8.14 from Barnehurst to Blackfriars
From: GUEST,An ex guard at Slade Green
Date: 22 Oct 10 - 03:26 PM

I was often the guard on that train or not as often when the driver went sick. Sorry commuters!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 8.14 from Barnehurst to Blackfriars
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 06:52 AM

It was a bit of a joke organised by Jingle Studio owner/writer Dave Mindel, who was a friend of Capital Radio DJ Graham Dene who had noticed this train was the one constant non-runner on the travel announcements - Dave got us various guys who were around the studio to chip in help write and record it, Jackie Challenor to sing it and Graham Dene to play it; all done one evening I think, fun doing it, my contribution was guitar and a cod British Rail announcement at the end. I did have a copy but it may have gone to Oxfam. JD

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 8.14 from Barnehurst to Blackfriars
From: GUEST,Glebealyth
Date: 17 Feb 11 - 05:04 PM

Chris,

I have the song as an mp3 (minus the lst 5 seconds, I think.

Email me at dmh(atsign)k.st and I can send you a copy if you want.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 8.14 from Barnehurst to Blackfriars
From: GUEST,glebealyth
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 05:00 PM

There is now a torrent of this available at btjunkie. I put it up there yesterday as more and more people were looking for it.

Enjoy!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 8.14 from Barnehurst to Blackfriars
From: GUEST,barrydannlivst
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 09:14 AM

Iremember trying to record it off the radio onto a cassette tape in September 1980. I liked the tannoy announcement at the end
'the train now leaving from platform 5 ..... isn't!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 8.14 from Barnehurst to Blackfriars
From: Penny S.
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 05:52 PM

As I recall - there is no platform 5, either.

Penny

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 8.14 from Barnehurst to Blackfriars
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Mar 13 - 08:06 AM

Hope this puts you out of your misery? x
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSMHEleQ6mY

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 8.14 from Barnehurst to Blackfriars
From: Girl Friday
Date: 24 Mar 13 - 12:51 PM

Thank you Guest.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Day Trip from Barnehurst
From: GUEST,Briny
Date: 23 Apr 14 - 01:56 AM

Ain' t it a shame that there is never a train from Barnehurst to Blackfriars?
And it's such a pain that you'll never see
The train that leaves at 8.14
There's a helluva lack of train on the track
These things are sent to try as.
I gave them my mind, got arrested and fined
And the wheels go round.

Sung (I think) by the Hurdy Gurdys.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Day Trip from Barnehurst
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Sep 14 - 08:13 PM

There was also a version that went "from ... to West Drayton" - maybe it was a one off, but I definitely remember it as I worked in West Drayton at the time.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Day Trip from Barnehurst
From: GUEST,Dave Webb
Date: 08 Aug 23 - 06:01 PM

I used to try and get this train when I worked in Fleet St. It was nearly always cancelled and made me late for work. Words and recording are on YouTube.
Dave Webb.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Day Trip from Barnehurst
From: Greum
Date: 09 Aug 23 - 05:26 AM

On similar lines, maybe someone could adapt this to Nadine Dorries MP, who's never seen in Parliament! ??

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Day Trip from Barnehurst
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Aug 24 - 02:11 PM

Just found a Roger Scott show where they have a most requested each after run down. This was at no4. I’d forgotten all about it