Lyr Req: Five Young Apprentices (Rolf Harris)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Five Young Apprentices (Rolf Harris)
From: GUEST,Mally Plymouth
Date: 31 Jul 21 - 04:23 AM

I've been trying to find this song from all sources for years and came up blank. I had no idea it was Rolf Harris.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Five Young Apprentices (Rolf Harris)
From: GUEST,JohnCNZ
Date: 04 Jun 20 - 08:37 AM

Five young apprentices working on the site
Nobody knows, nobody knows.
Five young apprentices trying to get it right
And no-no-nobody knows.

The foreman said: "I know you'll say you've 'eard it all before
"But when you five have done your time you'll soon be earning more -
"But don't step off that scaffolding, son, we're on the seventh floor!"
(fading sound of scream)
Then there were four.
And nobody knows where the other one went.
No-no-nobody knows.

Four young apprentices working on the site
Nobody knows, nobody knows
Four young apprentices trying to get it right
And no-no-nobody knows.

The foreman said "Now sit up straight and listen 'ere to me.
"I know that it's your lunch break and you've got the hour free
"But when we're felling timber, lad, don't sit beneath the tree!"
(Creak of falling tree)
Then there were three.
And nobody knows where the other one went.
No-no-nobody knows.

Three young apprentices working on the site
Nobody knows, nobody knows
Three young apprentices trying to get it right
And no-no-nobody knows.

The foreman said "Don't think I'm creeping round to spy on you;
"I know that it's your tea-break and you've twenty minutes due -
"But it isn't wise to sleep down there when concrete's pouring through!"
(Gurgling sounds)
Then there were two.
And nobody knows where the other one went
No-no-nobody knows.

Two young apprentices working on the site
Nobody knows, nobody knows.
Two young apprentices trying to get it right
And no-no-nobody knows.

The foreman said "Now listen lads, when all is said and done"
"I think you'll find that working in the building trade is fun -
"Hey, don't go striking matches near that dodgy gas-pipe, son!"
(Explosion)
Then there was one.
And nobody knows where the other one went.
Nobody knows, nobody knows, no-no-nobody knows.

Now the last young apprentice said "I'm getting out of 'ere.
"I've 'ad enough, I want me cards, I'll also take me gear.
"I'm off to join the army, mate, it's much too dangerous 'ere.
"Cos no-no-no-no no-no-no-no no-no-nobody knows!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Five Young Apprentices (Rolf Harris)
From: rich-joy
Date: 13 Nov 19 - 06:03 PM

“Our Rolf” b'coz he’s from Down Under (where I believe, like me, Helen is from). He was known as “The Boy from Bassendean” (an old inner-city suburb of Perth).
There was a time when he was well-known and loved by many, for his music, comedy and art.

Sadly for him, his aberrant behaviour has resulted in his fall. However, I suspect there are still MANY in the Entertainment Industry who are quietly quaking for fear
   of being exposed for past behaviour once regarded (probably mostly by men) as “normal and acceptable”.
I am reminded of the famous (in Oz) “Spiros joke” which ends : “You f**k ONE goat ……”
(i.e. in this world, one’s past achievements and glories count for Absolutely Nothing, once you cross the line ……)


R-J

PS        I note that Cardinal Pell, another infamous Australian export, has just been granted another appeal. There are many here who would consider Rolf the more worthy of the two men!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Five Young Apprentices (Rolf Harris)
From: Nick
Date: 12 Nov 19 - 11:28 AM

"our Rolf"?

Not mine

"A little bit of light a little bit of shade. Can you see what it is yet?" Yuk!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Five Young Apprentices (Rolf Harris)
From: Helen
Date: 11 Nov 19 - 09:13 PM

You might have trouble finding Rolf's songs because our Rolf is in deep disgrace. It's difficult to separate childhood memories of an extremely clever and entertaining musician and artist from the more recent revelations.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Five Young Apprentices (Rolf Harris)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Nov 19 - 08:58 PM

Wikipedia's discography says Rolf Harris' recording "The Court of King Caractacus" / "The Five Young Apprentices" (Columbia DB 7450) was released in 1964.

I haven't found a recording at either YouTube or Spotify.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 12 Young Apprentices
From: GUEST,Ptolemy
Date: 11 Nov 19 - 02:18 PM

The last young apprentice said "I'm getting out of here, I'll take me cash and take me cards I'll also take me gear. I'm going to join the army mate, it's much too dangerous here, cos.........................

Subject: RE: Lyr Rec: 12 Young Apprentices
From: GUEST,Senoufou
Date: 30 Sep 16 - 07:22 PM

I also remember the last survivor said, "I'm off to join the army mate, it's much too dangerous here, cos no-no-nobody knows!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Rec: 12 Young Apprentices
From: GUEST,Senoufou
Date: 30 Sep 16 - 07:03 PM

oh dear, I'm afraid Rolf Harris recorded this. I believe it was Five Young Apprentices.

Five young apprentices, working on the site
Nobody knows, nobody knows.
Five young apprentices trying to get it right.
No-no-nobody knows.

I can only remember fragments:-

"Don't stand so near the edge my lad,
We're on the seventh floor!" Then there were four.

And the last one was something about "Don't strike a match near that dodgy gaspipe son!" (Then there was one.)

The chorus was:-
And nobody knows where the other one went... etc

Youtube has blocked off some of his songs (for obvious reasons)

Subject: Lyr Rec: 12 Young Apprentices
From: GUEST,Ffred
Date: 30 Sep 16 - 06:05 PM

I remember a little of this song from back in the early 60s, it's a counting down song in which, despite dire warnings from the foreman, each of the young apprentices (this being the days before elfin safety) dies in a gruesome industrial accident.

Google has failed me for the lyrics, anyone else remember it?

"and nobody knows where the other one went, no, no, nobody knows"