Lyr Req: Following in Father's Footsteps

Subject: Lyr Req: Following in father's footsteps
From: GUEST,Wilson
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 08:09 AM

This an an old music hall song, can't find the lyrics anywhere though.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Following in father's footsteps
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 08:44 AM

Quick Google search only turns up a song by the "Oyster Band"

For starters, The one I think is required ends:

"I don't know where he's going.
But when he gets there I'll be glad.
I'm following in father's footsteps, yes
I'm following me dear old dad"


CHEERS

Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Following in father's footsteps
From: IanC
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 08:50 AM

It's in my "Bumper Book of Music Hall Songs". That's at home, though, so it might be a day or so ... unless anyone can find it sooner.

:-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Following in father's footsteps
From: Billy Weeks
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 09:19 AM

'Following in Father's Footsteps' was originally sung by Vesta Tilley. Written by E W Rogers, it was published by Francis Day and Hunter in 1892.   

As i never tire of saying, the first place to look for source information of this kind on music hall songs is Michael Kilgarriff's great index 'Sing Us One of theOld Songs' OUP 1998. But don't expect to find the words there.

Tilley recorded the song for Pathé in 1904 and on an Edison cylinder in 1907.

Subject: Lyr Add: FOLLOWING IN FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS (Oyster B
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 09:42 AM

This is a fragment:
I'm following in father's footsteps,
following me dear old dad,
he's just in front with a fine big gal,
so I thought I'd have one as well.

There is a different (Oyster Band) song with same title:

I used to come home very very late
Boots by the hob and gob on the grate
Father waiting with his pipe in his hand
He blew me upstairs with his reprimand
One fine day I was out all night
There he was gone, it gave me a fright
I went out looking in my little boat
So full of hope it could hardly float
Following in fathers footsteps
down the line, down the line
I came to an island, the shape of a cross
It had to be my mother's, she met me with a kiss
She said, You're looking thin (I was feeling fat)
And no girl's gonna look at you with shoes like that
Wishes are sharks if troubles are a sea
She arms herself with another pot of tea
A long long time she's been marooned
Dishing up her love with serving spoons
Following in father's footsteps
down the line, all down the line
I found him in the end, years down the roads,
Rowing home without any load
Why has your hair gone so white I? I cried
And have you brought us gifts from the world so wide?
A finger to his lips, he took me aside
He looked like a man with something to hide, he said
All I ever got from following my wish
Was a wet arse and not a lot of fish
Somewhere in his mind he's waiting up for me
Like a fisherman whose sons have run away to sea
Sometimes the lines get slack, so it's
High time I covered up my tracks
Following in father's footsteps
down the line, all down the line

RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Following in father's footsteps
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 08:13 PM

I think there must be more than this:
Copied from http://www.mcubedesigns.co.uk/pages/tvfilm/words/ttvwords.htm

FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS

To follow in your father's footsteps is a motto for each boy,
And following in Father's footsteps is a thing I much enjoy.
My mother caught me out one evening up the West End on a spree.
She said, "Where are you going?" and I answered, "Don't ask me!"

I'm following in Father's footsteps, following me dear old dad.
He's just in front with a fine big gal,
So I thought I'd have one as well.
I don't know where I'm going, but when he gets there, I'll be glad.
I'm following in father's footsteps, yes, following the dear old dad.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Following in father's footsteps
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 08:28 PM

There's a 4-CD set called "Round the Town: Following Grandfather's Footsteps - A Night at the London Music Hall" (Bear Family CD 16021, 2000), which contains FOLLOWING IN FATHERS FOOTSTEPS performed by Stanley Kirkby.

Another album called "Gone Where They Don't Play Billiards: Music and Mirth from the Halls on Phonograph Cylinders" (Old Bean CD 501, 2002) contains I'M FOLLOWING IN FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS performed by Vesta Tilley.

Subject: Lyr Add: FOLLOWING IN FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS (Rogers)
From: dagenham doc
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 02:36 AM

FOLLOWING IN FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS
Written by E. W. Rogers in 1902 for Vesta Tilley.

1. To follow in your father's footsteps is a motto for each boy,
And following in Father's footsteps is a thing I much enjoy.
My mother caught me out one evening up the West End on the spree.
She said, "Where are you going?" but I answered, "Don't ask me!

CHORUS 1: "I'm following in Father's footsteps, I'm following the dear old dad.
He's just in front with a fine big gal,
So I thought I'd have one as well.
I don't know where I'm going, but when he gets there, I'll be glad.
I'm following in Father's footsteps, yes, I'm following the dear old dad."

2. Pa said that to the North of England he on business had to go.
To Charing Cross he went, and there he booked, I booked first class also.
I found myself that night in Paris. To the clergyman next door
I answered when he said, "What are you in this gay place for?"

CHORUS 2: "I'm following in Father's footsteps, I'm following the dear old dad.
He's traveling now for his firm, you see,
In fancy goods, it seems to me.
I don't know where I'm going, but when he gets there, I'll be glad.
I'm following in Father's footsteps, yes, I'm following the dear old dad."

3. At Margate with Papa, I toddled out to have a good old swim.
I didn't know the proper place to bathe, so left it all to him.
I found myself amongst some ladies and enjoyed it. So did Pa,
Till Ma yelled, "Percy, fie! For shame!" Said I, "It's all right, Ma.

CHORUS 3: "I'm following in Father's footsteps, I'm following the dear old dad.
He's just out there with the fair Miss Jupp
To show me how to hold girls up.
I'm going to hold her next, Ma, so when he drops her, I'll be glad.
I'm following in Father's footsteps, yes, I'm following the dear old dad."

4. To dinner up in town last night I went, and Pa went there as well.
How many Pommery's we had, my word! I really couldn't tell.
At two a.m., Pa started off for home like this, and so did I.
Folks said, "Mind where you're going," but I simply made reply:

CHORUS 4: "I'm following in Father's footsteps, I'm following the dear old dad.
He's wobbling on in the front, you see,
And 'pon my word, he's worse than me.
I don't know where I'm going, but when he gets there, I'll be glad.
I'm following in Father's footsteps, yes, I'm following the dear old dad."


Doc

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Following in father's footsteps
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 04:40 AM

Vesta Tilley is an interesting subject, she was I believe the first male impersonaror on the music halls, and caused the straight laced Victorians to cry shame. I believe that the Julie Andrews film Victor Victoria was loosely based on her life.
John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Following in father's footsteps
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 05:39 AM

The CD "Gone Where They Don't Play Billiards" mentioned above is actually on Tony Barker's 'Cylidisc' Label (Cylidisc 501), details here, not on the 'Old Bean' label.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Following in father's footsteps
From: Billy Weeks
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 04:18 PM

Vesta Tilley was not by some years the first male impersonator on the music halls but she was certainly one of the best. I don't seemuch resemblanced to her life in 'Victor Victoria'. As Lady de Frece, she published her 'Recollections of Vesta Tilley' in 1934

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Following in father's footsteps
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 09:16 PM

Here is an extensive web site about Vesta Tilley, including lots of pictures, posters, and a song list.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Following in father's footsteps
From: GUEST,Wilson
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 05:20 AM

Thanks for all your help -

much appreciated

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Following in father's footsteps
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Oct 04 - 12:18 PM

I was wondering if anyone had a midi or mp3 file with the music for Following in Father's Footsteps. It would really help me out with a project that I'm working on. Thanks!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Following in Father's Footsteps
From: GUEST,Jessica H.
Date: 16 May 13 - 06:18 PM

You can also find the song on the movie "Tipping the velvet" wrote by Sarah Waters.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Following in Father's Footsteps
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 17 May 13 - 01:19 AM

You can see sheet music for FOLLOWING IN FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS at the UCLA Archive of Popular American Music.