Lyr Req: Idlers and Skivers (Keith Marsden)

Subject: knocking at the door,
From: GUEST,neil boulton
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 05:12 PM

Can anyone tell me how to get lyrics for Knocking at the Door? I think it's by Cockersdale or Keith Marsden.

Subject: Lyr Add: KNOCKING ON YOUR DOOR
From: IanC
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 06:29 AM

Hi!

There's various songs with this name, so I may have the wrong one. Is this it?

Knocking On Your Door
from Jimmy Reed Is Back

I'm a-knockin' at your door, baby, wonderin' why I can't get in?
I'm knockin' at your door, baby, wonderin' why I can't get in?
I been knockin' at your door, baby, ever since I don't know when

Well, I ain't gonna leave, baby, I'm gonna knock, you have no doubt
Well, I ain't gonna leave, baby, honey, don't you have no doubt
Honey if, Jimmy Reed, can't get in, ain't nobody comin' out

The door's unlocked, the chains are down
Real quiet inside, can't hear a sound
If you asleep, everybody would know
You wake up er'ybody, by the way you snore
I know you're listenin', ev'ry word I say
If I can't get in, ain't nobody goin' away

I've been knockin' on the door, baby
Honey, how come I can't get in?
I've been knockin' on your door, baby
Ever since I don't know when

I hear ya man!

Cheers!
Ian

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: i need lyrics for knocking at the do
From: Les from Hull
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 07:13 AM

The song you want is called 'Idlers and Skivers' (I think) by Keith Marsden.

Subject: need lyrics for knocking at the door
From: vectis
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 03:07 PM

Is the song you're after the one with the chorus:

We're knocking at the door, Knocking at the door
For a penny in the poor man's hat will no longer do
something or another attack of the brain fairy
For the knocking's nearly over then the door's coming through.

This is the version sung by Ron Spicer and I can get the words from the tape if they're the ones you need.

Subject: Lyr Add: IDLERS AND SKIVERS (Keith Marsden)^^
From: Morticia
Date: 07 Jun 01 - 06:01 PM

I think this must be the one you mean.....well, I hope it is, I've been typing for bloody hours!


IDLERS AND SKIVERS
(Keith Marsden)

We're the idlers, we're the skivers, we're the undeserving poor
See how prettily we curtsy and we bow?
See us stand with cap in hand again outside the rich man's door
For the new Victorian age is dawning now
And we mind our manners as before, we watch our Q's and P's
We're grateful for the handout and we always try to please
And we will not raise our heads when they prefer us on our knees
For we're only idle undeserving poor

Chorus
But we're knocking at the door, we're knocking at the door
And a penny in the poor man's hand will no longer do
You'd better open wide and let us come in inside
For the knocking's nearly over and the door's coming through

We were jumped up little oiks and irks, the undeserving poor
When we found ourselves the masters for a day
For we'd fought and bled and died to help to win the second war
And we thought we'd earned the right to have our say
So we sang of New Jerusalem, they didn't like the song
They threw their spanners in the works and laughed when all went wrong
And we should have known they'd never let us be the masters long
Not the jumped up oiks, the undeserving poor

Then they taught us to be selfish, never had it so good poor
And they dangled such a tempting, juicy fly
And we saw their shabby goodies in an 'I'm Alright Jack' store
And we couldn't wait to rush inside and buy
For then money was the godhead and the only gospel greed
We sold our gains to meet the ad-man's non-existent need
With a mess of tatty trinkets and a pile of plastic beads
And we stayed the idle, undeserving poor

Still we trusted in their promises, we undeserving poor
When they said we march toward some sunlit plain
All the dark times were behind us, only golden days before
Then they turned into the same old lies again
For they gave the rope we asked for and we didn't have a care
They showed us to the scaffold, and we blithely climbed the stair
Then they kicked away the trap and left us hanging in the air
And we're hanging still, the undeserving poor

And if you've not yet enlisted in the army of the poor
Never fear, your call up papers on it's way
Or perhaps you think you're fireproof, well you'd better think some more
For your turn is coming soon some future day
They don't need you on the land now or on the factory floor
They won't even need you when they go and start the final war
Let's be ready when they start to ask what do they need you for?
When you're only idle, undeserving poor

But you haven't done your duty when you've sung about the poor
If you never raise a hand to ease their plight
If you sing the chorus louder, it might ease your conscience more
But pious thoughts do not excuse you from the fight
For the times are getting harder and we haven't seen the worse
They still foul the wells of plenty while so many die of thirst
And we will rebuild Jerusalem but clean the temple first
And they'll wish they'd taken pity on the poor.
^^

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: i need lyrics for knocking at the do
From: GUEST,neil bolton
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 04:08 PM

THANK YOU THANK YOU MORTICIA. I've been searching for these lyrics for years. I think it's one of the best socialist folk songs ever. it must have taken ages to type and I'm very grateful. You must be a good socialist to persevere. There is another song I've been looking for called Old Joe's House. Perhaps you could tell me how to find it? Thanks again. Neil. My e-mail is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: i need lyrics for knocking at the do
From: nutty
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 05:20 PM

Hi Neil ... you are discovering that Mudcat is a great place to be. It is usually better to start a new thread when asking for different chords or lyrics but it just so happens that I know " OLD JOE'S HOUSE " is written by SI KHAN and the lyrics can be found here

OLD JOE'S HOUSE (e-mail sent JRO)

Subject: Corrections: Idlers and Skivers^^
From: GUEST,John O'Hagan --- Cockersdale.
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 06:02 PM

Many thanks to Morticia for taking the time and effort to type the words for 'Idlers and Skivers. This was one of the best songs ever written by Keith who dedicated it to 'Our Blessed Lady Margaret of Finchley. All Keith's songs are available in the book we wrote after his death--Picking Sooty Blackberries. I'll be happy to sell a copy to anyone out there - just ask.
Very minor corrections.
1.VERSE1. Handouts.
2.Chorus. Poor man's hat.
3.Verse2. Oiks and erks.
Died a lot to win etc
4.Verse3. To fill the admans'
5.Verse4. We marched towards
But it turned
As they showed
6.Verse5. Never fear you've call up papers on the way
Best be ready
7.Verse6. So we will rebuild^^

We hope to be in America in Oct/Nov.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: i need lyrics for knocking at the do
From: Morticia
Date: 27 Jun 01 - 02:06 AM

Thank you John.To be honest, I wasn't at all sure that this song was the right one or written by Keith Marsden, I found it on an old unmarked tape......amazing how many of those people who run folk clubs have, I find.

Subject: Lyr Add: KNOCKIN' ON YOUR DOOR
From: GUEST,Tim
Date: 28 Nov 02 - 12:35 PM

There is a version of "Knockin' on Your Door" on the "Old & in the Way" album which is listed as a "traditional.” Hope this is helpful to someone.

KNOCKIN' ON YOUR DOOR

I'm a-knockin' on your door again, my darlin'.
I'm a-knockin' on your door. Please answer me.
Well, I've tried to make you realize, my darlin',
That no one else was ever meant for me.

Well, I remember, dear, you said that you'd always love me,
And you promised me your happiness so true,
But now you've gone away, dear, with another,
And I wonder if you feel the way I do.

I'm a-knockin' on your door again, my darlin'.
I'm a-knockin' on your door. Please answer me.
Well, I've tried to make you realize, my darlin',
That no one else was ever meant for me.

(Fiddle solo)

Well, I'm a-knockin' on your door again, my darlin'.
I'm a-knockin' on your door. Please answer me.
I never read the letters that you wrote, my little darlin'.
I'm sailin' far across the deep blue sea.

I'm a-knockin' on your door again, my darlin',
To return the letters that you wrote to me.
I'm a-knockin' on your door again, my darlin'.
This time, honey, I'm sure things gonna be.

(Banjo solo)

So goodbye, my dear. I know you'll soon forget me,
And I hope that you find happiness so true,
But wherever you go, sweetheart, remember
That my love will always be the same for you.

I'm a-knockin' on your door again, my darlin'.
I'm a-knockin' on your door. Please answer me.
Well, I'm tryin' to make you realize, my darlin',
That no one else was ever meant for me.

(Mandolin solo)

I'm a-knockin' on your door again, my darlin'.
I'm a-knockin' on your door. Please answer me.
Well, I've tried to make you realize, my darlin',
That no one else was ever meant for me.

Subject: RE: need lyrics for knocking at the door
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 Nov 02 - 02:02 PM

If you have the opportunity to get hold of 'Picking Sooty Blackberries' do so. Keith Marsden was one of the better writers of Folk Song in the British Folk Scene. His death was a tragic loss, but at least his songs are still around.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Idlers and Skivers (Keith Marsden)
From: GUEST,Paperlady
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 04:24 PM

There is also a published book from around 1992, a couple of years after Keith Marsden died. It's called Picking Sooty Blackberries and contains all the lyrics to Keith's songs and some interesting background as well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Idlers and Skivers (Keith Marsden)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 08:00 PM

Obviously it was NOT clear in my post that 'Picking Sooty Blackberries' was the book of Keith's songs !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Idlers and Skivers (Keith Marsden)
From: stallion
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 04:43 AM

If you read this thread again John, glad C didn't call it a day have a nice one in the US
Pete

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Idlers and Skivers (Keith Marsden)
From: stallion
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 05:56 PM

Blow me down, I am trying to get people to listen to this song it is sp sooooooo relevant almost prophetic until one realises that labour (not the party, the people who work) and capital are in a state of permanent warfare and all the gains and leverage labour makes are eventually clawed back by capital and then give the wage slaves a real spanking so every so often the song is highly relevant.
Ho what surprised me was I was the last person to post on this thread!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Idlers and Skivers (Keith Marsden)
From: GUEST,Carol
Date: 06 Jun 20 - 10:48 AM

I really think Keith's Idlers and Skivers should be sung more often these days. Every verse is so true to life

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Idlers and Skivers (Keith Marsden)
From: r.padgett
Date: 06 Jun 20 - 11:26 AM

Yes Keith was a fine song writer from Morley near Leeds and left us in

1991 about the same time as Peter Bellamy ~ he sang with Brian Senior in New Heritage ~

Then "Cockersdale", latterly with Graham Pirt, Val Marsden and John

O'Hagan ~ yes "Picking Sooty Blackberries" contains his songs but you

are not likely to find a copy available, I am sorry to say

Ray

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Idlers and Skivers (Keith Marsden)
From: Carol
Date: 06 Jun 20 - 11:38 AM

Hi Ray someone, somewhere has my copy, perhaps l lent/gave it to someone!!
I think Idlers and Skivers is the longest song l have ever sung and l did used to feel it was too long to,sing in a folk club.
However l feel that it's a very pertinent message now. So l reckon l'll be singing it out virtually now.
By the way long time no see, hope all well with you and all my Mudcat friends.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Idlers and Skivers (Keith Marsden)
From: r.padgett
Date: 07 Jun 20 - 12:56 AM

Yes, it's not recommended loaning books out! Also, a pity that the lyrics are not on mudcat in many cases.

More strength to your singing ~ "Barrett's Privateers" is probably longer lol

Ray

Subject: Lyr Add: IDLERS AND WASTERS (Corndodgers)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Jun 20 - 09:34 AM

I ran across this on Spotify while searching for "Idlers and Skivers." I'm not sure what to make of it. I think it's meant to be ironic, but British irony often confuses me. This cuts a little too close to the bone to be in good taste, it seems to me, at least by American standards.

It can also be found on YouTube.


IDLERS AND WASTERS*
As recorded by The Corndodgers on "Skylarks" (2019)

We are idlers; we are wasters.
Can't be arsed to tie our laces.
Can't be bothered with the bother of it all.
We think the whole world is against us
Like the mothers who half-raised us.
We learn to steal before we learn to crawl.

Heave away, haul away, heave away.

We are idlers; we are wasters.
We have faces like potatoes,
And we don't have any doubt about the score.
We are animals and cannibals.
We'll find out if you're flammable.
We know exactly what our feet are for.

Heave away, haul away, heave away.

We are idlers; we are wasters.
We drink rum with whiskey chasers,
And we don't get out of bed till after four.
We are reckless; we are feckless.
We drink Special Brew for breakfast.
We're the people you find pissing on your door.

Heave away, haul away, heave away.

We are idlers; we are wasters.
We are trapped on our estates,
The least deserving of the undeserving poor.
We are layabouts and scroungers
In our scruffy council houses,
Good for nothing till you need to fight a war.

Heave away, haul away, heave away.

Heave away, haul away, heave away.

- - -
* It's spelled "Waisters" both on Spotify and YouTube, but surely they meant "Wasters", right?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Idlers and Skivers (Keith Marsden)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 28 Jun 20 - 06:17 PM

We were wandering round Swanage one September afternoon on the Friday afternoon shortly before the folk festival started, and in the window of the Oxfam shop we spied two books on display and obviously aimed at folk festival visitors. One was "Picking Sooty Blackberries", and the other was the Tom Lewis Songbook. The prices for the two of them amounted to less than a tenner. Derek had lost custody of his copy of "Picking Sooty Blackberries" in his second divorce, so it was like manna from heaven....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Idlers and Skivers (Keith Marsden)
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 28 Jun 20 - 08:12 PM

I just happen to have two copies of Picking Sooty Blackberries.

One is the personal autographed copy I was given by the surviving members of Cockersdale who were the driving force in ensuring the book saw the light of day. This was a thank you from Val, John and Graham for the foreword I had provided when John gave me an ultimatum I couldn't refuse.
The other is a bought copy.
Neither is for sale as they say on the Antiques Roadshow!

I also have a signed copy of the Prospect Providence LP of Keith's songs which I was instrumental in making possible - right person at right place at right time.
Also not for sale.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Idlers and Skivers (Keith Marsden)
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 29 Jun 20 - 09:02 PM

Thought I'd better refresh this having just made an entry on the other thread.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Idlers and Skivers (Keith Marsden)
From: r.padgett
Date: 30 Jun 20 - 02:20 AM

IDLERS AND WASTERS*
As recorded by The Corndodgers on "Skylarks" (2019)

I do hope that Keith Marsden was at least credited with the original song! This is clearly a parody of his song

Wasters is correct

Ray