Lyr Add: Down at Our Charity Bazaar (G Fields)

Subject: Lyr Add: DOWN AT OUR CHARITY BAZAAR (G Fields)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 25 Mar 11 - 02:30 PM

In this recording, Gracie affects a posh accent for comic effect, which is very unusual for her—usually she sticks to her native Lancashire dialect when she does comedy.

You can hear this recording at Bill Hanks' fan site. Here's my transcription:


DOWN AT OUR CHARITY BAZAAR
As sung by Gracie Fields, 1931

In our village we rather badly needed fun.
We thought we'd hold a charity bazaar.
We took the local hall,
Hung flags around the wall,
And sent our invitations near and far.
We fixed up stalls of ev'ry kind, all stocked with things galore,
And by the time we'd finished, it was like a Woolworth's store.
Everyone was full of fun and looking extra nice,
Down at our charity bazaar.
Pa had charge of all the drinks and charged them double price,
Down at our charity bazaar.
The vicar's lovely daughter dressed up as the Queen of May,
Sold kisses at ten shillings each, and trade was good, they say.
Our curate he had six and said he'd pay next Saturday,
Down at our charity bazaar.

We had a stall for knickknacks, knitted socks and knitted ties,
All knitted by the squire's second wife.
From half-past twelve till three,
Snacks at the bar was free,
And in the crush, Ma nearly lost her life.
We had what's called surprise packets on sale at Auntie's stall.
When Father went home sober, 'twas the best surprise of all.
A nice pullover Father bought and how he danced about,
Down at our charity bazaar!
They tried to pull it off and pulled his trousers inside out,
Down at our charity bazaar.
The Lord Mayor gave a lecture from the balcony so gay.
He said, "Kind friends, I'm with you all in everything you say."
Just as he said, "I'm with you all," the balcony gave way,
Down at our charity bazaar.