Lyr Req/ADD: Tom Johnson the Smuggler

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Tom Johnson the Smuggler
From: RTim
Date: 30 Oct 17 - 09:05 PM

Hi Joe,

Not online - yet............maybe sometime soonish...........If I get myself in gear!


Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Tom Johnson the Smuggler
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Oct 17 - 08:59 PM

Hi, Tim -

I edited your post a bit for apostrophes and such. Did I do OK? Any other corrections?

Is there a recording of the song available online?

-Joe-

Subject: Lyr Add: TOM JOHNSON THE SMUGGLER (E Jones-Evans)
From: RTim
Date: 30 Oct 17 - 06:29 PM

Thanks Jim - Have now got all the corrections required - as below.

Tim Radford


TOM JOHNSON THE SMUGGLER
(Eric Jones-Evans)

I'll sing you a song of the free trader bold,
Tis Tom Johnson the smuggler of Hampshire.
There's nary another so reckless I'm told,
As Tom Johnson the smuggler of Hampshire.
He sails on the sea so fearless and free
And for the King's navy cares naught
He never pays due to the damn revenue
Does Tom Johnson the smuggler of Hampshire.
-        Repeat last two lines.

When Napoleon Bonaparte planned to invade us
He offered big bribes to Tom Johnson
To pilot his armies from France to old England
And land them Twixt Christchurch and Brighton.
But Tom he said though a free trader I be
To me King and me Country I'm true
So to hell with the Froggies and old Bony too,
And I'll fight for the red white and blue.

This angered old Nappy and he clapped Tom in jail
But in no time at all he broke free
And boarding his lugger which had put in at Flushing
He sailed on and landed at Portsea.
Then as Chief Channel Pilot he joined the navy
And soon won great fame and renown
But when peace was declared he returned to the trade
And in Hampshire once more settled down.

When shore lights burn blue well he runs a tough crew
Does Tom Johnson the smuggler of Hampshire
And if there's a fight with the gaugers at night
Well the victors Tom Johnson of Hampshire.
So fill up your glasses with good English Ale
And drink to the one we love best
Our brave naval hero a prince of free trade
Tom Johnson the smuggler of Hampshire.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tom Johnson the Smuggler
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Oct 17 - 06:16 PM

Here is the catalog entry for the play "Lucky Venture" at WorldCat.org. It might help you find a copy in a library near you.

It looks like there are only about 3 copies in North American libraries, and 6 in the UK, 1 in Ireland.

Maybe your local library can arrange interlibrary loan.

Subject: Lyr Req: Tom Johnson the Smuggler
From: RTim
Date: 26 Oct 17 - 10:47 PM

Can anyone confirm or correct the words of the following song - written around 1961 by Eric Jones-Evans for a 3 act play called - Lucky Venture?

This song was recorded by Dave Ingledew and The Bursledown Village Band on Forest Tracks LP - Hampshire - a Musical Portrait (but I can't decipher all the words, so I guessed!!)

Thanks - Tim Radford

Tom Johnson the Smuggler - Eric Jones-Evans.

I?ll sing you a song of the free trade of old,
Tis Tom Johnson the smuggler of Hampshire.
There?s nary another so reckless I?m told,
As Tom Johnson the smuggler of Hampshire.
He sails on the sea so fearless and free
And for the Kings navy cares naught
He never pays due to the damn revenue
Does Tom Johnson the smuggler of Hampshire.
-        Repeat last two lines.

When Napoleon Bonaparte planned to invade us
He offered big bribes to Tom Johnson
To pilot his armies from France to old England
And land them Twixt Christchurch and Brighton.
But Tom he said though a free trader I be
To me King and me Country I?m true
So to hell with the Froggies and old Bony too,
And I?ll fight for the red white and blue.

This angered old Nappy and he clapped Tom in jail
But in no time at all he broke free
And boarding his lugger which had put into Flushing
He sailed on the landed at forty.
Then as Chief Channel Pilot he joined the navy
And soon won great favor and renown
But when peace was declared he returned to the trade
And in Hampshire once more settled down.

When shore lights turn blue well you run to the screw
Does Tom Johnson the smuggler of Hampshire
And if there?s a fight with the gaugers at night
Well the victors Tom Johnson of Hampshire.
So fill up your glasses with good English Ale
And drink to the one we love best
Our brave naval hero a prince of he trade
Tom Johnson the smuggler of Hampshire.