Lyr Req: Gold Watch Blues / Goldwatch Blues

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold Watch Blues / Goldwatch Blues
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 19 Sep 22 - 07:51 PM

Mick Softley's no two-song wonder; his whole oeuvre is worth investigating, there are several albums still available. Check out Sunrise, Street Singer and Any Mother Doesn't Grumble for starters.

Subject: RE: Mick Softley (1939-2017)
From: Felipa
Date: 19 Sep 22 - 04:59 PM

Paul Reade's contribution above is very apt
but the work until you drop ethos is entirely gone:
https://mymodernmet.com/chairbox-coffin-office-chair/

https://www.designboom.com/design/concept-coffin-office-chair-design-09-13-2022/

]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

I don't see any other mentions of Mick Softley on Mudcat, but he did compose other songs besides Gold Watch Blues.

From Wikipedia:
"Michael Softley (26 September 1939 – 1 September 2017) was an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. A figurehead during the British folk scene, Softley set up his own folk club, released three albums and worked with performers such as Mac MacLeod, Donovan, and Maddy Prior. Donovan covered two of Softley's songs ('Goldwatch Blues' and 'The War Drags On') in 1965. Dave Berry also covered two of Softley's songs ('Walk Walk Talk Talk' and 'I Love You Baby') in 1966."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mick_Softley

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold Watch Blues / Goldwatch Blues
From: Helen
Date: 04 Sep 18 - 03:21 PM

Good suggested update, Paul. I like it.

Helen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold Watch Blues / Goldwatch Blues
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 04 Sep 18 - 01:08 PM

Agreed. BTW the song was included on an early Donovan album in about 1965 (What’s Bin Did?), and attributed to Mick Softly, who included it on his own album around that time, which I forget the name of (something about nuclear war), along with The War Drags On.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold Watch Blues / Goldwatch Blues
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 04 Sep 18 - 10:30 AM

Ed, it's ' the personnel man he questioned me '

Dave H

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold Watch Blues / Goldwatch Blues
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 04 Sep 18 - 08:57 AM

Can be heard on a regular basis, sung by Resident Pete Rimmer at Southport's Bothy FSC. As a Donovan admirer, I'd guess he was inspired to learn it from him but feel sure that Mick Softley's original would've been known to him as Pete has been singing for 50+ years. Btw, our autumn season starts this Sunday (9th) with guests The Dovetail Trio.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold Watch Blues / Goldwatch Blues
From: Paul Reade
Date: 03 Sep 18 - 06:56 AM

I believe the song was written by Mick Softley and recorded by Donovan in 1972. I’m sure that when he wrote it he never thought it would seem dated, especially only about thirty-odd years later – after all, tyrannical employers trying to enslave workers have been around since time began. How about:-

“He asked me how many jobs I'd had before.
He nearly had a heart attack when I answered, four.
Four jobs in twenty years, oh, this can never be
We only take on men who work until they die.

Chorus:
“ “Here's your gold watch and the shackles for your chain
And your piece of paper to say you left here sane.
And if you've a son who wants a good career
Just get him to sign on the dotted line and work for fifty years.”

How things like “flexible working”, “zero-hours contracts” etc. have changed Britain since then, with a “job for life” now regarded like gold dust to some people. Perhaps a more updated version would be:-

“He asked me how many jobs I'd had before.
He nearly had a heart attack when I answered, four.
Four jobs in twenty years! Oh, that will never do
We have short-term contracts then it’s down the road for you

Chorus:
“Forget your gold watch hanging from its chain
Here’s a six-month contract then you’re on the dole again
And if you've a son who wants a good career
We’ll give him a job on minimum wage till later in the year”

Subject: RE: Gold Watch Blues
From: Pene Azul
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 05:18 PM

According to this page (click) it's by Mick Softley.

PA

Subject: Lyr Add: GOLDWATCH BLUES (Mick Softley)
From: Ed Pellow
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 04:48 PM

It was certainly sung by Donovan, I'll try and find out who wrote it.

The words go something like this:


GOLDWATCH BLUES
As recorded by Donovan on “What’s Bin Did and What’s Bin Hid” (1965)

I went up for my interview on the fourth day of July.
Personnel man he questioned me until I nearly cried,
Made me fill in forms until I shook with fear
About the colour of my toilet roll and if my cousin's queer.

CHORUS: Here's your gold watch and the shackles for your chain,
And your piece of paper to say you left here sane.
And if you've a son who wants a good career,
Just get him to sign on the dotted line and work for fifty years.

He asked me how many jobs I'd had before.
He nearly had a heart attack when I answered: “Four.”
“Four jobs in twenty years? Oh, this can never be.
We only take on men who work until they die.”

He took me outside to where the gravestones stand in line.
“This is where we bury them in quick-stone and in lime.
And if you come to work for us, on this you must agree:
That if you're going to die, please do it during tea.” CHORUS

This story that you heard, you may think rather queer,
But it is the truth, you'll be surprised to hear.
I did not want no job upon the board.
I just wanted to take a broom and sweep the bloody floor. CHORUS


Ed

Subject: RE: Gold Watch Blues
From: GUEST,art
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 04:14 PM

think it might have been donovan,but also had a dave van ronk album in the 60's with something similar

it all seems so long ago.......

Subject: Gold Watch Blues
From: oggie
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 04:00 PM

I have a memory of a song wth the chorus that starts- 'Here's your gold watch and the shackles for your chain, and your piece of paper to say you left here sane ....'

It was sung 20 odd years ago at a local club and I've not heard it since.

Anyone know the lyrics, composer etc? Thanks Oggie