Help ID this song, please?

Subject: Help ID this song, please?
From: buddhuu
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 01:40 PM

My mother-in-law regularly tells me about a song she recalls her father singing circa or pre 1950. She doesn't remember it very well, but a fragment appears below.

My M-I-L suspects it may have been a music hall song originally.

Anyway, as far as we can piece it together, some of the song may have gone:

Up the stairs I went again
The shopman said "How do?
It's been a lovely day today
What can I do for you?"

I want half a pound of pickled pork
And God bless the Duke of York

"Sorry Sir, I've just sold out."

So, up the stairs I went again
The shopman said "How do?
It's been a lovely day today
What can I do for you?"

I want half a yard of calico
It is just for the wife.

"Sorry Sir, I've just sold out."

So, up the stairs I went again
The shopman said "How do?
It's been a lovely day today
What can I do for you?"

I'd be grateful for any info about the song, if anyone can help.

Thanks,

Rick

Subject: RE: Help ID this song, please?
From: buddhuu
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 01:55 PM

Hah! Got it...

Would you believe, immediately after posting, a last-resort rephrased Google came up with Harry Fragson - 'The Other Department Please'

Subject: RE: Help ID this song, please?
From: gnomad
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 02:29 PM

If you can get hold of a copy, the Cosmotheka CD "You only had to ask" includes a great recording of this song.

Subject: RE: Help ID this song, please?
From: buddhuu
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 02:19 PM

Thanks for the tip! :-)