Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 19 Jan 20 - 04:19 AM

Wow, Jim, an excellent resource! Many thanks. I will be looking at some of your blue clickies as soon as I get chance.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M GOING TO MARRY-ARRY (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 18 Jan 20 - 11:35 PM

Lyrics below are copied from the sheet music at Baylor University:


I'M GOING TO MARRY-ARRY
Words and music by Harry Lauder, ©1916.

1. I've never been so deep in love as what I am the noo.
I haven't slept for weeks and weeks; I don't know what to do.
It's Carrie Macintosh, a bonnie lassie I adore.
I've never been so looney over any lass before.

CHORUS: I'm going to marry-arry sweet little Carrie-arry
On the fifth or twenty-fifth of Janu-anu-anuary.
Won't we canoodle-oodle! Right fal-the-doodle-oodle!
On the fifth or twenty-fifth of January-O!

2. Last nicht was dark and stormy, ay, but it didna keep me in,
For when a fellow falls in love, he doesn't care a pin.
I went up to her house where I had never been before.
I sang to her and whistled through the keyhole o' the door. CHORUS

3. I had a dream the other nicht; I dreamt the war was past,
And ev'ryone was happy, and that peace had come at last,
And a' the flags in bonnie Scotland waving in the breeze,
And a' the kilty sojers singing in twenty diff'rent keys.

PATTER: I tell ye, it's a funny feeling, love. The first time I met Carrie, I couldn't resist her. I did not know what I was doing I was unconscious. I must have been, because when I came to myself I was down on my knees reciting to her:

Carrie, my lassie, my heart you have stolen.
Look at my chest; how my waistcoat is swollen!
List to the throbs of my heart as it goes
Ricketty-ticketty under my clothes. CHORUS.

- - -
You can hear a recording made by Harry Lauder in 1925 at the Internet Archive, but it is somewhat different from the sheet music. The title is given as "I'm Going to Marry 'Arry on the 5th of January." He sings verse 1, chorus, verse 2, then begins the chorus again but stops in the middle; then he speaks some patter but it is somewhat different from the patter given above; then he sings the chorus twice. The third verse and the recited verse are omitted.

Subject: Lyr Add: SHOUTHER TO SHOUTHER (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 18 Nov 11 - 10:01 PM

I transcribed this from a recording on Spotify.


SHOUTHER TO SHOUTHER (SHOULDER TO SHOULDER)
Written by J. Wilson and Harry Lauder
London: Francis, Day and Hunter, ©1916.
As sung by Harry Lauder on "Oh! It's a Lovely War, Vol. 4" (CD41 011, 2008)

Have ye seen a' the men frae the braes an' the glen?
Have ye seen them a' marchin' awa'?
Have ye seen a' the men frae the wee but-an'-ben,
And the gallants frae mansion an' ha'?

They are marchin' shouther to shouther.
Determined an' proudly they gang.
They are marchin' shouther to shouther,
But deep doun there's a parting pang.

Have ye seen a' the men frae the hamlet an' toun
Where the mothers are a' greetin' sair,
While their ladies gang forth without murmur or froun
To defend our hames ...(?)?

They are marchin' shouther to shouther
Wi' a sang on their lips as they gang.
They are marchin' shouther to shouther,
But deep doon there's a parting pang.

Have ye been where the shells are bursting at large,
Dealing death to our sodjers so brave,
Where the kilties are waitin' the order to charge
For the allies' position to save?

They're not marchin' shouther to shouther,
But expended they swiftly gang,
Each stooping his burly shouther,
As wi' bayonet he dashes along.

Have ye seen others come forward to fill up the blanks
To uphold tradition so grand?
For they fight and they fight in the deathless ranks
To uphold Britain's stand.

They are marchin' shouther to shouther
Wi' a sang on their lips as they gang.
They are marchin' shouther to shouther
In a cause that will richt the wrang. REPEAT

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim McLean
Date: 13 Nov 11 - 07:24 AM

Suirichean-suirich, Gaelic for burdock plant, not quite sorrel but I can see how the word 'soorock' came about.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim McLean
Date: 13 Nov 11 - 07:06 AM

Jim, I was looking back at a couple of songs so here a few corrections/explanation for Aye Waukin' O:

Sourock is the sorrel plant which we used to suck. There is a Gaelic word 'sourachean' ... I'm not sure of the spelling but I can check later.
Gourock is a town at the mouth of the Clyde
Jings is just an exclamation
Bairdie or beardie is when a man rubs his rough chin on a woman's face.

Subject: Lyr Add: WE PARTED ON THE SHORE (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Nov 11 - 05:56 PM

This song is already in the DT, but I decided to post it anyway because the recording at The Internet Archive is different. Maybe the version in the DT ultimately came from the sheet music—it does have 2 more verses—but the following corresponds to what Lauder actually sang. I have boldfaced some differences in wording.

Lauder really trills his R's to a ridiculous extent in this song—for comic effect, I assume, although I don't find it very funny.

By the way, I find that the trilling of R's is not only a Scottish thing; most, if not all, music-hall singers did it, Scottish or no (but not to the extent Lauder does in this song).


WE PARTED ON THE SHORE
Words and music by Harry Lauder
London, New York: Francis, Day & Hunter, 1906.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1904

It's years an' years an' years an' years an' years an' years an' years
Since I parted from my sweetheart on the shore.
I never will forget the sicht; she shed so many tears.
I'd never seen so many tears before.
She asked me if I'd think of her, and I said perhaps I would,
But I'd often broke my promises before;
And then she stood, and sat and wept, and then began tae weep,
And when I saw that, we parted on the shore.

CHORUS: We parted on the shore, yes, we parted on the shore
I said, "Goodbye, love, I'm off to Baltimore."
An' I kissed her on the ship, the crew began to roar
Hilly-ho, hilly-ho, an' we parted on the shore.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SCOTCH ERRAND BOY (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Nov 11 - 04:47 PM

Tattie Bogle, Charley Noble, Jim McLean, and anyone else who's paying attention: your encouragement and your help are much appreciated!

My transcription from the recording at The Internet Archive:


THE SCOTCH ERRAND BOY
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1911.

1. I'm workin' wi' a grocer at the corner of our street,
An' I go all his messages for one an' six a week,
An' when the shop is fu' o' folk; I've got to serve as well,
An' when I've served the folks upstairs, I sometimes serve masel'.

CHORUS: Oh, I'm up, up airly in the mornin',
Whether weather is the rain or shine.
I'm up an doon an roon a' the hooses in the toon
Wi' ma basket till it's half-past nine. REPEAT

2. An we're goin' tae have a sale next week o' different kinds o' teas,
An' lamb an' ham an' eggs an' all the different sorts o' cheeses,
An' noo it's time the cheese was sold 'cause it could really talk!
A gorgonzola last nicht asked the ham out for a walk!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim McLean
Date: 12 Nov 11 - 03:43 PM

I ' m the simple Johnny graw aw aw .

I agree with Charlie, it's a great thread. Being a west coast Scot I can understand a lot of Lauder and hope my contributions help in a small way. Incidentally, Harry Lauder was my uncle Edwin Waterston' s uncle.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SAFTEST O' THE FAMILY (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Nov 11 - 01:10 PM

My transcription from the recording at The Internet Archive:


THE SAFTEST O' THE FAMILY
Words by Harry Lauder & Bob Beaton; music by Harry Lauder.
New York: Francis, Day and Hunter, ©1904.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1908.

You've maybe heard a lot aboot wee silly Willie Winks
Frae a lot o' folk that thinks they're very nice;
And they're very good at giving you a thing that you don't need,
Especially what they call good advice.
Yes, an' all the boys that Ah play with tried to make a fool o' me.
They would make ye think that two an two are three;
But sometimes they get angry when I tell them to their face
That I'm as big as them if they're as big as me.

CHORUS: I'm the saftest o' the fam'ly.
I'm the simple junieraw(?).*
For everything ma mither blames me,
An' ma faither puts it onto me and a'.


[* I have spelled this word phonetically as I hear it. I have no idea what it should be; I have failed to find a suitable word in a Scottish dictionary that is even an approximate match. Maybe it is a phrase or a proper name.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 08:39 PM

This will be a thread to treasure.

Charley Noble

Subject: Lyr Add: TATTIE SOUP (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 06:20 PM

My transcription from the recording at The Internet Archive:


TATTIE SOUP
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1904.

Oh, there was an old wife in ...*
In ...*, in ...*,
Oh, there was an old wife in ...*
Subsisted on tattie soup

And she picketed a' the rotten yins,
A' the rotten yins, a' the rotten yins,
Oh, she picketed a' the rotten yins
Because they werenae good.

And she picketed a' the good yins,
A' the good yins, a' the good yins.
Oh, she picketed a' the good yins
And she biled them in a pot.

So there's always been peoples,
And peoples, and peoples,
So there's always been peoples
Subsisted on tattie soup.

And she picketed a' the good yins,
A' good yins, a' good yins
And she picketed a' the good yins
And she biled them in a pot.

So there's always been peoples,
Subsisted, she subsisted,
She subsisted, she subsisted,
Ta-ta-ta-ta...(etc.)
On tattie soup.


[* I think this was the same place name repeated 4 times, but I can't make out what it was.

[His vocal ornamentation grows progressively more elaborate on each verse.]

Subject: Lyr Add: SHE'S THE LASS FOR ME (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 07:30 AM

My transcription from the recording at The Internet Archive:


SHE'S THE LASS FOR ME
Words and music by Harry Lauder.
London: Francis, Day and Hunter, ©1912.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1913.

1. It was on a bonnie summer day; the sun was shinin' clear.
I went away on a holiday an' I met a dear wee dear.
She looked so neat, a pairfect treat; her eyes were full of bliss;
And ever since I kissed her face, I'm always singin' this:

CHORUS: She's the lass for me; she's the lass for me.
I've never seen another face
That could ever take her place.
She has locked ma hairt an' stolen away the key.
She is, yes, she is, she's the lass for me.

2. Her age is only twenty-one on the sixth o' next July.
I'd like to buy her something nice but I don't know what to buy.
I'd like to buy her a tartan tie an' a bonnie wee tartan box,
For she's been kind to me; she's knitted me twenty pairs o' socks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim McLean
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 05:10 AM

Last line of above ' ,,,, Ah borrowed a couple o' bob' (Two shillings old money, 10p new money).
Second line of verse 2 begins 'in atween a ...'   (in between a ..)

Rob Roy Mackintosh: 3rd line ' ... ma faither did say'

Subject: Lyr Add: SHE IS MY ROSIE (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 07:35 PM

My transcription from the recording at The Internet Archive. The sound quality of this recording is very poor; so there are several gaps in my transcription and much more is doubtful.


SHE IS MY ROSIE
Words by Harry Lauder and J. D. Harper; music by Harry Lauder.
London : Francis, Day and Hunter, ©1915.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1916.

1. The regiment I'm in the noo it is ... so thick,
If the colonel gives us an order, we're bound to do it quick.
Discipline is discipline, an' ....
If it wisnae for a doubtsome thing, I believe that I'd desert.

[Patter omitted]

CHORUS: She is ma Rosie, ma Rosie-posy,
Oh, I love her, yes I do,
And if you saw her, so would you.
She is a beauty, just twenty-three,
An' when the fightin's done,
We'll be both made intae one,
'Cause I'm goin' tae stick tae Rosie if Rosie sticks tae me.

2. Oh, to a military dance I took her the other night.
... and we both sat out of sight.
We sat for an hour, an then she said, "Promise me one thing."
I said, "If I sit much longer, my love, I'll promise you ev'rything. CHORUS

3. I took her oot for a walk one night along the banks o' Clyde,
An' I went doon on ma bended knees an' I asked her to be ma bride.
She threw her arrums [arms] around ma neck an' then began to sob.
Says I to masel', "Now here's your chance ... couple o' bob."

[Patter omitted]

CHORUS

Subject: Lyr Add: ROB ROY MACKINTOSH (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 06:54 PM

My transcription from the recording at The Internet Archive:


ROB ROY MACKINTOSH
As recorded by Harry Lauder on a wax cylinder, 1908.

1. Oh, when I came up tae London first, all the boys were jealous o' me
Because a' the ladies seemed tae like this braw laddie frae bonnie Dundee
The nicht I was born, ma faither said tae,
I'd be a ladies' man one day,
And his word o' mercy has come true,
For I'm a' honey with the ladies noo.
And—

CHORUS: My name is Rob Roy Mackintosh, enchantin' wi' ma lilt.
They adore me when I've got my troosers on, but they love me in my kilt. REPEAT

2. Oh, the very first time I went tae France, the people stared at me a lot,
And when they spoke tae me, I said, "Och! ... don't talk rot!"
There was a bonnie French girl and she
Went for a sit, and a-hangin' ontae me.
When she started to parlez-vous,
I said, "Miss, I dinnae comprehend ye the noo."
For— CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: GUEST,Jim McLean
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 02:01 PM

Jim, the last two words are defintely 'she didnae'. It could be 'in fact she didnae' but I'll keep listening. It could be she told him she would accept the ring but 'in fact she didnae (didn't).

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 12:48 PM

Listening again to MY BONNIE, BONNIE JEAN, I now think the mystery line is something like:

"She said she thought that rather fashed to say"—that is, "annoying"

Dictionary of the Scots Language says:

Fasch, Fash, v. Also: fasche, fache. [OF. fascher F. fâcher.]
1. tr. To trouble, bother, annoy (a person)...
b. Freq. in the past pple. faschit, fashed....

By the way, remember the word that I spelled "heuch" in THE PICNIC—but I couldn't find it in any dictionary? Turns out it's actually "hooch" (also "hoogh" or "houch") "An exclamation of excitement or exhilaration, esp. the cry uttered by the male dancers during a Highland reel" according to the above dictionary. Still, I think "heuch" is a better representation of Lauder's pronunciation in that song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: GUEST,Jim McLean
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 10:46 AM

The line should read ' .. For wi' (with) a wife like Maggie...

Subject: Lyr Add: OH! HOW I WEARIE, DEARIE (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 08:04 AM

My transcription from the recording found at The Internet Archive. A few words are doubtful. The whole of verse 1 line 3 is doubtful because it doesn't make sense to me.


OH! HOW I WEARIE, DEARIE*
Words and music by Harry Lauder
London: Francis, Day and Hunter, ©1926.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1927?

1. I've been a very lonely fella for a while.
I'm thinking it's because I miss ma bonnie lassie's smile.
Oh, I left her just I kissed her if ma love for her is true, (?)
An' it must be true because I feel I'm burstin'(?) through an' through.

CHORUS: Oh, how I weary for you, sweetheart!
I'm never cheery when we're apart.
Nights are lonely; days are blue.
Oh, how I weary, dearie, for you!

2. Noo I am back again tae Glasga on the Clyde,
I'm gonnae stay for ever by ma bonnie lassie's side.
Oh, the ecstasy o' seein' soon ma Maggie's bonnie face,
An' the scrumptiousness of bein' locked in Maggie's fond embrace!

3. When I get settled up I'll try an' settle doon,
An' I'll do ma very best to be a credit to the toon.
Oh for wey(?) a wife like Maggie I can face this world's care.
I feel I'll be a gladiator, feel I'll do an' dare.**


[* Title as given in the sheet music according to the catalogue of the University of Oxford. They even insert "[sic]" after "WEARIE." Recordings variously give the title as OH, HOW I WEARY DEARIE or OH, HOW I WEARY DEARIE FOR YOU.]

Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE ROTARY (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 08:56 PM

My transcription from the recording found at The Internet Archive. The lyrics have also been published in several issues of The Rotarian.


IN THE ROTARY*
Words and music by Harry Lauder
New York: T. B. Harms and Francis, Day & Hunter, 1916.

1. Once ev'ry week, ev'ry week in the year,
A very fine bunch of good fellows appear.
They are the livest of wires you could find.
Always ahead, they are never behind.

CHORUS: In the Rotary, in the Rotary,
That's the place to find sociability,
No worry or care, from bus'ness right away,
Having a smoke, cracking a joke
With your pals in the Rotary.

2. Once ev'ry week, ev'ry week in the year,
Ev'ryone's sure of an hour of good cheer.
Now an hour of good cheer is a tonic we're told.
An hour of good cheer is worth barrels of gold.


[* Title as given in the sheet music. On various recordings, the title is given as IN THE RO-TA-RY or IN THE R-O-T-A-R-Y.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: GUEST,Jim McLean
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 05:32 AM

Jim, I think he's singing 'She said she thocht her rarer fancy didnae'.

It doesn't make much sense to me except she says she thinks her 'rarer fancy' doesn't, i.e. doesn't want the ring. 'rarer' could be 'rather' but that doesn't make sense either. Perhaps someone else can help .. sheet muaic perhaps?

Subject: Lyr Add: MY BONNIE, BONNIE JEAN (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 09:42 PM

You can hear this at The Internet Archive. Here is my transcription. Note there's a phrase that maddeningly eludes me in verse 2. Any help would be appreciated.


MY BONNIE, BONNIE JEAN: (SHE COMES FRAE BONNIE SCOTLAND WHERE THE BLUEBELL GROWS)*
Words and music by Harry Lauder
New York: T. B. Harms & Francis, Day & Hunter, ©1915
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1916.

1. In a nice wee hoosie
On the banks o' Loch Lomond
Lives a bonnie lass that I love best.
Oh, there no mistake aboot her;
I could never live withoot her
'Cause there's no another like her in the West.
She lives wi her grannie,
Her dear old grannie,
And very fond o' her she seems to be.
I ken how Grannie loves her.
Och! ev'rybody loves her,
But no one loves her half as much as me.

CHORUS: Oh, I love ma Jean, ma bonnie, bonnie Jean.
She's very fascinating an' she's only seeventeen,
An' her hair is nice an' crispy; her cheeks are like the rose,
An' she comes frae bonnie Scotland where the bluebell grows.

2. Oh, the first time Ah met her,
She went for a pail o' water.
She was waiting on it filling at the spring.
As she was standing waiting,
I said, "No use hesitating,"
So I asked her if she'd like to wear a ring.
She said that I was cheeky,
I was sly and I was sneaky.
She said she thocht that ....(?)
I said, "Ye're such a beauty
That I'll have to do ma duty."
So I kissed her 'cause there's danger in delay.


[* The sheet music uses the spelling BONNIE but some recordings have BONNY.]

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN I GET BACK AGAIN TO BONNIE SCOTLAND
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 08:49 PM

You can hear this at The Internet Archive. Here is my transcription.


WHEN I GET BACK [AGAIN]* TO BONNIE SCOTLAND
London: Francis, Day and Hunter, ©1908.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1909

Beside oor faither's cottage at the bottom o' the glen,
Ah've left ma bonnie lassie bathed in tears.
She nearly broke her hairt
When Ah said we'll have tae pairt,
Because Ah'm goin away for seeven years;
But she dried her tears away
When Ah spoke about the day
That I'd come back again an make her mine.
She said, "When you cross the sea,
Jock, Ah hope ye'll write tae me,"
An' since Ah left Ah'm singin' all the time:

CHORUS: Oh, her cheeks are like the bloomin' rose and her neck is like the swan.
Her face it is the sweetest face I've ever looked upon.
And I'll row her in the heather yet as sure as my name's John,
When I get back again to bonnie Scotland.


[* Some versions omit "AGAIN" from the title.]

Subject: Lyr Add: THE WEDDIN' O' SANDY MACNAB (Harry Lauder
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 08:30 PM

You can hear this at The Internet Archive. Here is my transcription.


THE WEDDIN' O' SANDY MACNAB
By Harry Lauder
London : Francis, Day and Hunter, ©1908.
As sung by Harry Lauder

I'm on ma way hame frae a marriage.
It's been a splendicious affair.
Of course I went there in a carriage,
In a beautiful carriage an' pair.
Sandy McNab was the bridegroom,
And the bride was a bonnie wee lamb.
Oh, a nice curly hair an' complexion
Redder than strawberry jam.

CHORUS: And the weddin bells were ringin'.
All the boys were singin'.
"Here's to you and yours an' me an' mine, ta-ra-ra"
Then we had a drappie,
Just tae make us happy
For the days o' auld lang syne.


[This song, or at least the wedding it describes, was mentioned in MACGREGOR'S TOAST—see above.]

Subject: Lyr Add: I'VE JUST GOT OFF THE CHAIN (Harry Lauder
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 02:07 PM

My transcription from the recording found at The Internet Archive. Publication data is from WorldCat.org.


I'VE JUST GOT OFF THE CHAIN
Words and music by Harry Lauder
London: Francis, Day and Hunter, ©1927.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1928?.

1. I've never been away masel' before in all ma life.
I've never had a holiday away without ma wife,
And I've never felt so happy and I've never been so free.
I would give a gold and silver cup to know what's wrong with me.

[In the patter, he explains that his wife is in the hospital with a broken leg.]

CHORUS: For I've just got off the chain; I've just got off the chain,
Feeling as happy as a lord, or ducks amang the rain.
I'm gonna be havin' the time o' my life away from Mrs. McBain,
Because she'll mebbe never get the chance to break her leg again.

2. I've been a very happy man a' through ma married life,
But just like other married men, I've been subject to ma wife.
But mind, I've always been a man; I have always stood ma ground,
But I must admit I've often been knocked out in the first round.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M LOOKING FOR A BONNIE LASS TO LOVE ME
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 06:28 PM

This song can be heard at The Internet Archive. Publication data is from WorldCat.org. These lyrics are my transcription:


I'M LOOKING FOR A BONNIE LASS TO LOVE ME
Words and music by Harry Lauder
London: Francis, Day & Hunter, ©1924.
As sung by Harry Lauder

1. I've just been makin' up ma mind to settle doon for life.
I've made a bit o' money so I think I'll take a wife.
I'll build a cosy cottage on the hill beside the sea.
I'll keep some pigs an' chickens, have ham an' eggs for tea.
And so—

CHORUS: I'm lookin' for a bonnie lass to love me,
To love me, to love me, love me too.
I'm lookin' for a bonnie lass to love me,
To love me as ma mother used to do.

2. I'll take her to the city every Christmas for a treat.
I'll show her all the windaes walkin' up an' doon the street.
I'll maybe buy her something, but I wouldn't like to say,
'Cause I think the best of all the shops are closed on Christmas Day.

3. Ma nights are long an' lonely and I weary all the day.
I know I shouldn't say it, but I'm throwin' maself away.
I'm very fascinating when you get to know ma style.
Ma grannie alwis said I'd catch a lassie wi' ma smile.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE REFEREE (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 05:43 PM

My transcription from the recording at The Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Here's another song that seems to exist only to provide a frame for a story told as patter.

THE REFEREE
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1927.

Some time ago I went an' joined the Duffers' Football Club.
Our pitch was on a bit o' ground behind the local pub.
The tailors came to play us fer a cup o' Lipton's tea,
And as I didnae ken the game, they made me referee.

CHORUS: They threw me up in the air and they rolled me in the mud
And then they tried to stop the circulation o' ma blood.
If I should live to be as old as Eve, you'll never catch
Me, the referee at a football match. REPEAT

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim McLean
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 04:32 PM

You're correct in thinking it means to 'whoop' in the Scottish sense.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PICNIC / EV'RY LADDIE LOVES A LASSIE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 03:29 PM

My transcription from the The Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project, University of California, Santa Barbara:


THE PICNIC, or, EV'RY LADDIE LOVES A LASSIE
Words and music by Harry Lauder.
London : Francis, Day and Hunter, ©1910.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1911

Last July on a nice fine day,
Twenty lads an' lassies on a picnic went away.
I was there wi' my lass, helpin' with the fun.
We had a rare time baskin' in the sun.
The pipers they playing as we danced upon the green,
An' everyone was heuchin'* jist to liven up the scene.
I said, "Here, chaps; let's play kiss-in-the-ring,"
And whenever a fella kissed a lass, we all began tae sing:

CHORUS: Ev'ry laddie loves a lassie, whether she be dark or fair,
An' ev'ry lassie loves a laddie just because her love lies there. REPEAT

[* I couldn't find the word "heuk" or "heuch" (with this meaning) in any online dictionary or glossary; perhaps I have the spelling wrong. I'm pretty sure it refers to the "whoop" or "hoot" sound that Scots sometimes shout out while dancing. I once heard of a local band that put out an album of dance tunes called "I Think I'm Going to Heuch" (however they spelled it).]

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: GUEST,Pizel
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 03:18 PM

J.D.
One of your sources gives a tune title as "Sterling Castle" this is of course "Stirling Castle". This is the same source that gives Mackie for Mackay and would be as J.Mc.states.
Excelent sources.
Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim McLean
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 02:11 PM

Harry Lauder sang 'Scotch' but did not sing 'Mackie'. I would suggest this was an English attempt at spelling MacKay. I can guarantee nobody in Scotland would write 'Mackie' and pronouce it as Harry Lauder did, i.e. 'Mac eye'.
I think you've done a wonderful job in transcribing Luader's works, I am merely pointing out a few relevant facts (in my opinion).

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: GUEST,Pizel
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 01:31 PM

MacKenzie Murdoch mentioned as the composer of the song [words and music] "Hame O Mine" was a fiddle player who played with Lauder from the mid 1890"s until his death in the early 1920"s.
My late father told the story of this composition:---Murdoch on his way to a tour of America and Canada with Lauder was one evening up on the boat deck doodling away on his fiddle when he composed the tune, it proved a tremendous hit in America and Canada during this tour.
On the return journey Murdoch playing his new tune in the dusk of a summers evening on the boat deck composed the words.

Fiddle players if you are on the lookout for a beautiful slow air I
can recommend this one, pity I cannot give the wee dots. I do sing it.

Murdoch composed a number of other tunes and songs, the only other that comes to mind at this moment is:--"The Brig O Balgownie".

Thomas the Rhymer made a prediction about this ancient brig:--
"Brig O Balgownie black be yer faa, a weedows yae bairn on a horses yae foal."
Lord Byron, when a schoolboy in Aberdeen, put this prediction to the test, needless to say the brig still stands to this day.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 11:14 AM

I don't care how the rest of the world spells or pronounces Mackie/MacKay/McKee/etc. My intention here is to document the works of Harry Lauder, and if the earliest published works of Harry Lauder used the spelling Mackie, that's how I'm going to spell it. Now let's examine the evidence.

Here's the British Library catalog data for the sheet music of Mr John Mackie.

In case that link goes dead, I have copied their catalog entry:

System number – 4469684
Cataloguing level – Minimal record
Author - personal – Lauder, Harry, Sir, 1870-1950.
Title – Mr. John Mackie. [Song.] Written, composed ... by H. Lauder.
Publisher/year – London : Francis, Day & Hunter, 1903.
Physical descr. – fol.
General note – With a separate voice part.
Holdings (All) – Details
Shelfmark – H.1309.b.(25.)

The sheet music is also held by University of Oxford and Syracuse University, which also use the spelling Mr. John Mackie.

Then there's the University of California, Santa Barbara, which shows that the 2 wax cylinders published (by Edison) in 1911 and 1927 used the spelling Mr. John Mackie, but the 78-rpm disks published in 1903 (Gramophone and Zonophone), 1909 (Victor), 1919 (His Master's Voice), and 1920 (Victor) used the spelling Mr. John MacKay (or Mackay). Go figure.

By the way, Lauder also sometimes uses the word Scotch where people today would insist on Scottish or Scots. Again, my intention is not to conform to current accepted usage, but merely to document Lauder's actual usage.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim McLean
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 06:24 AM

Sorry Mr John MacKay

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim McLean
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 06:18 AM

Jim, I would say the correct spelling is McKay or MacKay as Mackie rhymes with ee or sometimes MA-kee. There is a CD compilation which uses MacKay MacKay

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 05:44 PM

I spelled it the way it's spelled in the song title.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim McLean
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 04:30 PM

McKay, Jim, McKay!!

Subject: Lyr Add: MR. JOHN MACKIE (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 02:50 PM

My transcription from the The Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project, University of California, Santa Barbara:


MR. JOHN MACKIE
Words and music by Harry Lauder.
London: Francis, Day & Hunter, 1903.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1911

1. Oh, excuse me for intrudin' but ma name is John Mackie.
My hairt is in the Hielands an' ma native place is Skye.
Although some hot(?) young fellas in the clan Mackie was got,
The ladies all declare that Ah'm the handsomest o' the lot.

CHORUS: Oh, my, Mister John Mackie,
You're the cockle o' ma heart an' apple o' ma eye.
You fairly take ma fancy every time you pass me by.
You're the nicest chap that ever crossed the border.

2. Oh, when I come up to London first I did create a stir
People took me for a duke, or at the least, a sir.
All the heck-ristocracy, 'twas me they did adore,
And daily I was getting invitations by the score.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 08:30 AM

I'll drink to that!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: Lyr Add: McGREGOR'S TOAST (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 11:08 PM

My transcription from the recording found at The Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project, University of California, Santa Barbara:


McGREGOR'S TOAST
As recited by Harry Lauder, 1926

I say, chaps, do ye mind o' me telling ye aboot the weddin' o' Sandy MacNab? Well, I'm gonna tell ye a wee incident that happened at the weddin' that nicht. O' course, ye see, me bein' one o' the principalities o' the weddin', I was asked to say something, and on this particular occasion I said, "The best thing I can do the noo is to gie ye a toast." So efter they filled up my gless once—well, I believe it was filled up twice—o' course, I was a teetotaller because I was only drinkin' ginger cordials—hooever, I looked at ma gless an' I said to the company, I said:

"Here's to the thistle an' shamrock an' rose!
Here's to yer eyes, yer mouth an' yer nose!
Here's to the dew an' a wee drap o' water!
Here's to the moon an' the sun an' the daughter!
Here's to employ and here's to employment!
Here's to enjoy and here's to enjoyment!
Here's to the time when we'll have eight hours a day!
And here's to the rise we deserve in our pay!
Here's to the roar, the whisper an' mutter!
Here's to the margarine, thick as if butter!
Here's to the doo an' the dook an' the dooker!
Here's to the soo an' the sook an' the sooker!
Here's to the sail, the sailor an' skipper!
Here's to the sea, an' the sand an' the tripper!
Here's to the bicycles, turbines an' motors!
Here's to the haddies and here's to the bloaters!
Here's to the bagpipes, the kilt an' the troosers!
Here's to the Templers and here's to the boozers!
Here's to the love an' the dove an' the cuddle!
And here's to the fool that gets fou on the fuddle!
Here's to the gaslight, the firelight an' daylight!
And here's to the coortin' that never needs no light!
Here's to the fella that's coortin' ma sister!
And here's to the thoosands o' times he has kissed her!
Here's to the well and here's to the sink!"

A wee chap settin' over in the corner rose an' said, "Here, MacGregor," he says, "time you would stop because I'm needin' a drink!"

Well, I needn't tell ye that the bottle went roond again, an' then it went roond an' roond an' roond— In fact, I don't know how many times it went roond. (Coughs) I'm telling ye, I've either got the swoopin' cough or the hookin' cough, some o' the two o' them. (Coughs) In fact, I havenae got the better o' the weddin' o' Sandy MacNab yet.

An' so I think the best thing I can do is, the very first time that I'm gonna get married, I'll invite ye all to my weddin'. So the best thing I can do noo, after letting ye ken what happened at the weddin', is just to say so long, an' good nicht the noo, an' ye don't know hoo pleased I'll be te see ye some ither nicht. An' we'll just talk about the same things under the same conditions an' circumstances. An' the meantime, allow me to retire. An' don't forget yer auld favourite Harry. Noo, chaps, for auld lang syne, eh? Ha-ha-ha! Good nicht the noo! Aye, ye're a lot o' boys, mind, I'm telling ye! I don't want to say any more, mind ye! I'm away! Well, good nicht! So long! See ye again!

Subject: Lyr Add: THE KILTY LADS (H Lauder/J H Milligan)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 06:46 PM

My transcription from a recording at The Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project, University of California, Santa Barbara:


THE KILTY LADS
Words by Harry Lauder and J. H. Milligan; music by Harry Lauder.
London: Francis, Day and Hunter, ©1912.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1913.

1. When a sodjer in his kilt is he goes walkin' doon the street,
With his military stride,
And his bayonet by his side,
All the lassies stare at him before he passes by,
And then you'll see them smilin' wi' a twinkle o' the eye.

CHORUS: Oh, the bonnie lassies love the kilty lads.
In love or war they know we're always true,
And well they know that we
For a bonnie lass wad dee.
The kilty laddies love the lassies too. REPEAT

2. She'd see me on a Sunday when I'm strollin' through the park.
Ah'm as straight as I can be,
An' ma kist's as big as three,
An' I've only got to wave ma cane an' give ma head a tilt.
And then the lassies follow me an' they criticize the kilt.

Subject: Lyr Add: KILLIECRANKIE (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 06:28 PM

My transcription from a recording at The Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project, University of California, Santa Barbara:


KILLIECRANKIE
Words and music by Harry Lauder
London: Francis, Day & Hunter, ©1900.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1911

1. Oh, years ago Ah used tae be
As smart a chap as you wad see.
The Prince o' Wales he wantit me
Tae go an' join the army.
An now Ah'm turnin' old an' frail
Like a dog without a tail,
An' Ah show through(?) Jean MacPhail,
The lass o' Killiecrankie.

CHORUS: Toora-loora-loora-loo,
Fall-the-doodle-all-the-doodle-dee,
She's as sweet as honeydew,
The lass o' Killiecrankie. REPEAT

2. Oh, one day Ah was cuttin' a spot(?).
As she passed Ah raised ma hat.
As her little nose was wet,
Ah handed her ma hankie.
"Jean," said I, "ye're lookin' smart.
Could you masticate a tart?"
She smiled a smile(?) near broke ma heart,
The lass o' Killiecrankie

3. Oh, maybe I was actin' brash
When Ah tried her waist tae squash.
She said, "Although ye're on the mash,
Stop yer hankie-pankie!"
She said that married we wad be.
Then she heaved a sigh, you see.
Then she heaved a brick at me
On the braes o' Killiecrankie.

4. Oh, I was kiltit to the knee.
"Jock, ma dear," she said tae me,
"We'll set down two hours or three."
Said I, "Ma darlin', thank ye."
But very soon Ah changed ma tune,
For on a thistle I sat doon,
An' I nearly jumped up tae the moon
On the braes o' Killiecrankie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim McLean
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 05:49 PM

PS I can send you a scan of the music page if you like, Jim.

Charlie, thanks for that, what else could one expect? I often wondered about the 'broken token' series of songs .... All those faithful maidens waiting for years for their lovers to return ....

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Jim McLean
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 05:35 PM

Hi JIm, The Hey Donald! How Donald, with music is in R A Smith's second volume, page 78, of The Scottish Minstrel. There are also two other verses written by William Motherwell. This is not to be confused with Donald Couper, page 38, Vol ll, which starts Hey Donald, How Donald (Donald Couper) but is an entirely different song, both in words and melody. Dr Fred Freeman produced a set of CDs of Tannahill's songs and mixed these two up. He wouldn't admit his mistake and there are people out there singing Donald Couper and assuming it is by Tannahill!

Subject: Lyr Add: JUST LIKE BEIN' AT HAME (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 04:53 PM

My transcription from a recording at The Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project, University of California, Santa Barbara:


JUST LIKE BEIN' AT HAME
Words and music by Harry Lauder and William Hargreaves.
London: B. Feldman & Co, ©1910.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1911

1. A highland reg'ment was forced to go
To a distant land across the foam,
While a poor old mother with a heavy heart
Waited anxiously at home.
Soon her sad face turned into a smiling one
When a letter came across the sea.
It said, "Don't cry, or don't you sigh.
I'm as happy as can be.

CHORUS: "There's a piper playing in the morning
An old Scotch tune sae fine.
There's a tartan plaidie buckled on each laddie.
It's just like auld lang syne.
I can hear them praisin' bonnie Scotland,
Bonnie Scotland's fame.
Don't sigh, dear; I'm all right here.
It's just like bein' at hame."

2. The fierce fight lengthened and the months dragged on,
And the roll call shortened day by day.
Though they saw their comrades falling one by one,
They bravely foucht their way;
For the handful left had sworn to do or die,
And with one great cheer they forged ahead.
While a highland lad foucht like mad,
His mother proudly read: CHORUS

3. The flag was planted 'neath a scorching sun
Where the white man's rule will ever reign,
And the brave Scotch sodjers who had foucht an' won
Were returnin' home again.
The highland mother watched the passing ranks
For the face of one she loved so dear.
In frenzied joy, she kissed her boy
As he whispered in her ear: CHORUS

Subject: Lyr Add: JEAN M'NEIL (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 05:44 AM

Here's my transcription from the recording found at The Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project, University of California, Santa Barbara:


JEAN M'NEIL* / JEAN McNEIL**
Words by Harry Lauder and Alex Melville; music by Harry Lauder.
London : Francis, Day & Hunter, ©1906.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1927.

1. I'm the happiest man alive,
    Fol-the-doodle-eye-doe
Sure as four an' four are five.
    Fol-the-doodle-eye-doe
I cannae tell ye how I feel.
I feel as I could dance a reel.
I'm gonna get marriet tae Jean McNeil.
    Fol-the-doodle-eye-doe

CHORUS: Jean McNeil's in love wi' me.
I'm as happy as Ah can be.
How would ye like if you were me?
    Fol-the-doodle-eye-doe. REPEAT

2. She is bonnier by a mile
    Fol-the-doodle-eye-doe
Than the Duchess o' Argyll.
    Fol-the-doodle-eye-doe
She is just a pairfect queen.
She is the nicest ever seen,
An' her eyes are black an' blue an' green.
    Fol-the-doodle-eye-doe

3. Jean's a lassie that likes a squeeze,
    Fol-the-doodle-eye-doe
Just a bonnie wee tender squeeze,
    Fol-the-doodle-eye-doe
But when the kissin' comes in great,
She clings tae me in such a state
That it's like a cat goin' round a plate.
    Fol-the-doodle-eye-doe

4. Jean is fair an' Jean is fat.
    Fol-the-doodle-eye-doe
She wears her hair below her hat.
    Fol-the-doodle-eye-doe
Ah meet her every nicht, Ah do,
An Ah kiss her on the bonnie wee mou'.
Mon, Ah wish that she was here the noo.
    Fol-the-doodle-eye-doe


[* Title as given on the sheet music held at the University of Oxford, as reported at WorldCat.org.]
[** Title as given on the Edison Amberol cylinder, as reported by the Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project.]

Subject: Lyr Add: I'VE LOVED HER EVER SINCE SHE WAS A BABY
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 04:59 AM

Here's my transcription from the recording found at The Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project, University of California, Santa Barbara:


I'VE LOVED HER EVER SINCE SHE WAS A BABY
Words by Harry Lauder and Bob Beaton; music by Harry Lauder.
London: Francis, Day and Hunter, ©1909.
As sung by Harry Lauder

1. I'm deep in love wi a bonnie wee lass,
But Ah don't think she cares much for me,
Because the last time Ah met her Ah told her that I
Wad do anything for her; in fact Ah wad dee.
She turned roond an' telt me she thocht Ah was saft,
Bit she fair broke ma hairt when she said:
"Marry you?" Och, a woman, ye're daft!

CHORUS: She doesnae care fir me,
Not a little B-I-T.
She is what the neighbours call a lady.
I've known her all her life.
Ah wad like to have her for ma wife,
'Cause Ah've loved her ever since she was a baby.

2. The Scotch wey o' coortin's the best wey of all
But it's not whit some folks may suppose.
She says that ma kissin' it won't do at all
But Ah cannae get near for the len'th o' ma nose;
An' I've got tae shave masel' six times a week
'Cause she says that ma whisker keeps jaggin' her cheek. CHORUS

Subject: Lyr Add: IT'S NICE WHEN YOU LOVE A WEE LASSIE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 08:12 PM

My transcription (singing only) of the recording found at The Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project, University of California, Santa Barbara:


IT'S NICE WHEN YOU LOVE A WEE LASSIE
Words by J. D. Harper & Harry Lauder; music by Harry Lauder.
New York : T.B. Harms & Francis, Day & Hunter, 1912.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1913.

1. Sandy MacPherson and Sandy MacFee,
Sandy MacLean and his brother and me,
We were companions in bonnie Dundee.
Now we're residin' in London.
We've got a cosy wee flat in the West,
And there ev'ry nicht we dine on the best.
Nicht efter nicht ... we never tire.
We get a' oor pals up an' sing roond the fire:

CHORUS: Oh, it's nice when ye love a wee lassie.
'S nice when the lassie is true.
'S nice when ye ken that yer bonnie wee hen
Is in love and that lover is you. REPEAT

2. Last Friday nicht was a great nicht for we
Had the Duke o' MacDuff and his wife up for tea.
We had a bonnie wee private soiree,
But they'd finished up great at the finish.
We gave them as much as they wanted to eat,
And a wee deoch-an-doris before the retreat.
We broke up at twelve and the midnight all rang
As we stood on the steps at the door we all sang: CHORUS

3. I'll never forget big MacPherson's birthday.
He was born in June but we held it in May.
He was thirty; had never been kissed, so they say,
But that was a big fabrication.
We put Mike to bed; 'twas a terrible strain.
He fell out two times, then he fell out again,
And the last time he fell out, his head it went bang,
But we gave him a half and he startit to sing:

"Here's a hand, ma trusty freends,
An gie us a hand o' thine.
I cannae see ye a' the nicht.
But I can feel ye're doin fine."

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Harry Lauder
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 07:39 PM

Jim-

Well, it's a bit of a drift from your thread and I was assuming you had editing powers.

Charley Noble

Subject: Lyr Add: INVERARY (Harry Lauder)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 07:39 PM

My transcription (singing only) of the recording found at The Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project, University of California, Santa Barbara:


INVERARY
Words and music by James Malarkey and Harry Lauder.
London, New York: Francis, Day & Hunter, ©1905.
As sung by Harry Lauder, 1908.

I feel as proud as proud could be ...(?) like a joke
For I've got the nicest lass that ever buttoned on a frock.
It was just ...(?) I met her. Alloo me to explain.
I was going to Inverary at the fair time on the train.

And I got spooney on Mary. Mary got spooney on me.
Oh, what a day! Wasn't it gay? I was as happy as I could be,
And I told her she was a dove; told that she was a fairy.
Oh, what a jollification we had on the road to Inverary!