Lyr Req: Stanley the Rat (Cyril Tawney)

Subject: Stanley's a Rat
From: Dave4Guild
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 10:29 AM

I remember a song from more years ago than I care to remember which was either called "Stanley's a Rat", or the chorus went:
Stanley's a Rat, and a fast one at that, From bulk head to bulk head in 4 seconds flat.
It is a song by Cyril Tawney. Can anyone fill in the gaps please?

Subject: Lyr Add: STANLEY THE RAT (Cyril Tawney)
From: Abby Sale
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 01:25 PM

From "Songs by Cyril Tawney"

 

           "STANLEY THE RAT"

Stanley's a rat and a fast one at that
From bulkhead to bulkhead in four seconds flat
He's come and he's gone 'fore an eyelid could bat
But he'd do it much faster if we had a cat.

One flashing run and his visit is done
Stan never lingers to join in the fun
Our hospitality he'd rather shun
But he'd stay a bit longer if we had a gun.

I raises my cap to this beady-eyed chap
Who needs no compass and carries no map
And don't know what it means to get in a flap
But we'd bloomin' soon show him if we had a trap.

When does he doze? Well, nobody knows
Night and day he keeps on his toes
I don't suppose his eyes ever close
But he'd sleep for ever and ever and ever
if we had a high pressure hose.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Stanley's a Rat
From: Dave4Guild
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 02:32 PM

Thanks, Abbey, you're a gem! Dave Bennett.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Stanley's a Rat
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 02:40 PM

Presumably there's a typo in V2, "Our hospitality..."

Nigel

Subject: Lyr Add: Stanley the Rat
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 05:12 PM

Adding an Add for Abby Sale's post at 1:25

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Stanley's a Rat
From: Gurney
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 06:42 AM

No typo, nigel, thats the way Cyril sings it. It comes from the time when he was a submariner, and Stanley ran along pipes and cables just over his bunk....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Stanley's a Rat
From: Abby Sale
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 06:30 PM

:-) Nope. It's a typo. Should be 'Our hospitality.' I don't see any others except one missing space. (How can you miss space? It's empty.)

---

Typos corrected, in an attempt to preserve Abby Sale's illusion of perfection. [delusion??]
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Stanley's a Rat
From: Wincing Devil
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 11:13 PM

I've got thje first line as "Stanley the rat was a fast one at that" Transcribed from CT's "Navy Cuts" album.

Isn't oral tradition wonderful?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Stanley's a Rat
From: Gurney
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 06:44 AM

Nigel & Abby, You're right, now I've put my specs on. Mea culpa. Chris

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Stanley's a Rat
From: Teribus
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 03:09 AM

Gurney, Stanley "served" onboard a CA class Destroyer, not on a submarine according to the sleeve notes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Stanley's a Rat / Stanley the Rat
From: dundivin
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 08:21 AM

I think Cyril may have modified the lyrics slightly over the years, the version I have down is extremely similar but with slight variations.

"STANLEY THE RAT"
Stanley's a rat and a SWIFT one at that
From bulkhead to bulkhead in four seconds flat
He's come and he's gone ERE an eyelid could bat
But he'd do it much QUICKER if we had a cat.

One flashing run and his visit is done
Stan never lingers to join in the fun
Our hospitality he'd rather shun
But he'd stay a bit longer if we had a gun.

I raises my cap to this beady-eyed chap
Who needs no compass and carries no map
DOESN'T know what it means for to get in a flap
But we'd BLOODY soon show him if we had a trap.

When does he doze?, nobody knows
Night and day he keeps on his toes
I don't suppose THAT his eyes ever close
But he'd sleep for ever and ever and ever
if we had a high pressure hose.

The days of Stanley the Rat are no more.... as the RN does not possess Diesel submarines anymore, they do not make an appearance on the Nuclear Powered vessels of todays fleet.... Hmmmm perhaps they are telling us something. Always wondered why I was bald at 22, and I am sure that extra finger wasn't there when I joined up !!

Only Jokin'

:-)