Lyr Req: 'The Boys Came In'

Subject: Lyr Req: 'The Boys Came In'
From: GUEST,carterbrandon
Date: 11 Dec 20 - 12:05 PM

I’m looking for help tracking down a rather wry feminist comic song I hear in the mid-80s done by a guest support at the old Bell and Pump in Birmingham who accompanied herself on guitar. I’d heard it on local folk radio too, so it must have been recorded. I’d like to track down the singer, proper title, and maybe then I can find the recording.

The premise is of a group of women having an interesting conversation which is suddenly forced to end with the arrival of their male partners.

Each verse ends ‘then the boys came in’, with the chorus (continuing at the 5th bar) “We were all discussing when the / Boys came in / And Andy told his joke / And Steve his anecdote / And we couldn’t get a damn word / In.”

Here’s my ABC from memory:

L:1/8
K:C
M:4/4
| cB cB ce GB | cB cB ce GA | B_B =B_B =Bd GA |
B_B =B_B =Bd df | e2 c2 c2z2 | a^g a^g ac' ba | g2e2 e2e2 |
dd de d2 zG | dd de d2 GG | dd df e2 d2 | c8 |

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Boys Came In'
From: GUEST,jugmws
Date: 11 Dec 20 - 01:38 PM

I remember Annie Williamson sang "When the Boys Barged In". I suspect this is what you mean. It was the mid 2000s when I heard it though.
I have a recording of that but do't know how to let you hear it. I have signed on as guest again; I don't really remember how to log in. No fun getting old.
m

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Boys Came In'
From: GUEST,carterbrandon
Date: 12 Dec 20 - 07:17 PM

Thanks! The name is a start. I've found references to a recording but they are cassette, which is surprising. I would have thought you'd have to get onto vinyl to get airplay.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Boys Came In'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Dec 20 - 09:24 PM

The cassette is in the Peter Kennedy Folktrax archive, https://folktrax-archive.org/menus/search%20for%20titles_when_where.htm.

WHEN THE BOYS BARGED IN - cumulative comp by AW (tune reminiscent of "Hoky- pokey") -- Annie WILLIAMSON (v/gtr): Radio 2: 17/10/90 CASS 60-1017

I sure wish Kennedy's cassettes were available. I've heard a few that I got from Dick Greenhaus, and they were very interesting.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Boys Came In'
From: GUEST,jugmws
Date: 13 Dec 20 - 09:00 AM

If you post an email address I can get a copy for you if ir is not available anywhere else.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Boys Came In'
From: GUEST,carterbrandon
Date: 14 Dec 20 - 08:58 AM

Don't trouble yourself. I think I've got the tune (see the ABC) and if it's a bit out, well, that's the oral tradition for you! I don't know if it's allowed (there are certainly some songs there with named writiers), but putting the lyrics being on the DT would be good for me, and hopefully others.