Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher (Gary and Vera Aspey)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher (Gary and Vera Aspey)
From: GUEST,Some bloke
Date: 29 Nov 18 - 04:16 AM

Gary and Vera got the song when they appeared at Worksop Folk Club many many years ago.

Whilst the idea for the song could have multiple starts, they asked John “Mitch” Mitchell for the words as he wrote it.

Funnily enough, my favourite verse doesn’t get mentioned.

Two old biddies on Skegness beach
He flashed at them and made them screech
One had a stroke.... but the other couldn’t reach
The famous phantom flasher.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher (Gary and Vera Aspey)
From: GUEST,Bob Eastwick
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 10:30 AM

I heard a slight variation of the chorus while waiting for the last bus back from Sidmouth some years ago sung by some morris dancers (Now there's a surprise..!).

Hey down Hoe down, zip it up and down
The famous phantom flasher

Sorry, I was too pissed to remember any more than that.......

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher (Gary and Vera As
From: GUEST,master lambert
Date: 21 May 11 - 06:59 PM

my Grandad (Mr Lambert) above has been singing The Famous Phantom Flasher since the 1960's, this is not just a song act as well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher (Gary and Vera Aspey)
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 03:17 AM

Such an easy parody to do and fairly obvious.

Interestingly, it was also written independently of all the above in the late '70s by Mitch, the Worksop based singer / songwriter / comic. it was also part of his act when he won the Stainsby singers' competition in 1981.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher (Gary and Vera As
From: John Foxen
Date: 23 Oct 10 - 11:52 AM

Clive has done that rare thing and actually written a folk song because I first heard this in a session down in Cornwall and it had been Devonised - no mention of Wigan but lots of references to Exeter, South Brent etc.
There was a verse about the flasher going into a pet shop and showing off his one-eyed trouser snake which I can't recall but I have been able to reconstruct the verse about the two old ladies which I think would probably go something like this:
Two widows were sitting on the beach
The flasher jumped up and made them screech
One had a stroke but the other couldn't reach
The dirty phantom flasher.
If I sing this in my local clubs in Essex I'll put in local references but will certainly credit Clive as the originator and should we meet I'll certainly buy you a beer.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher (Gary and Vera Aspey)
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 11:25 AM

'two old ladies - one had a stroke, but the other couldn't reach......'

Anyone have the rest of this verse?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher (Gary and Vera Aspey)
From: Marje
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 10:03 AM

Thanks for that, MtheGM. And I'd say it wasn't even in widespread use until well into the 60s, not very long before "streaker" acquired a related meaning.

Marje

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher (Gary and Vera Aspey)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 05:32 AM

50s, actually, Marje - but only as a bit of in-slang among police, court officials &c [I learned it early from a court reporter of my acquaintance in, IIRC, 1951; & when I married my wife, who was also a court reporter at the time, in 1959, she was surprised that I knew it]. But I agree it didn't escape into mainstream usage till late-50s/60s].

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher (Gary and Vera Aspey)
From: Marje
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 04:53 AM

I heard this sung recently and the first line had something about a beard (instead of "leer"?). And I don't think Wigan was mentioned. I suppose that's what the folk process does (so you can take pride in this, Clive). It went down well in a folk club, anyway.

And ignore the troll "Mr Lambert" above - the word "flasher" wasn't used in this sense until the 1960s.

Marje

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher (Gary and Vera Aspey)
From: breezy
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 10:52 AM

I used to play the Aspey's recording while travelling to Cornwall back in the late 80s

My 1st 2 kids always requested it along with Slag - or was it Slack Alice

As a consequence they embrace 'folk' songs and have even attended my gigs!

Then the recordings went AWOL,

so

My 2nd batch of sprogs -3- have grown up somewhat deprived and have not heard those songs and for that reason I believe, have a narrower tolerence of what could be termed 'music'

Thank you Clive

so whats the addendum verse then? Sounds most entertaining.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher (Gary and Vera Aspey)
From: GUEST,Clive Kristen
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 04:57 PM

I wrote the words to this song circa 1976. Gary Aspey ( whom I knew) wanted to buy it from me. I refused, but gave permission for him to record it. My copyright is registered through Robert Kingston Music and I have received royalties via PRS.

There is no way someone could have been singing it in the 50's. Other folkers, including me (Clint Ackroyd & The Rat Trappers) from the same era and area - eg Roger Westbrook - also perfomed it and can confirm.

You will not find any recording of this prior to Gary & Vera's. The verses posted by Mmario in 04 are not mine - clearly it's been modified/localised later.

Yes, the tune is "The Keeper".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher (Gary and Vera As
From: GUEST,mr lambert
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 04:52 PM

this song has been sung by me since the fifties

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 11:13 PM

youll find the song on u tube yeffal 413

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher
From: GUEST,richard grist
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 10:58 PM

if u are refering to the 1978 song by fsstbuck melbourne im the one

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 08:36 PM

Ah, but the version Dave Reader sang in Sidmouth in February had the verse about the PF flashing two old ladies - one had a stroke, but the other couldn't reach......

Kitty

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PHANTOM FLASHER
From: GUEST,fantum
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 08:21 PM

Lyr add

Gary and Vera Aspey were the singers of this particular song and this is transcribed from their album.

THE PHANTOM FLASHER
(as recorded by Gary and Vera Aspey)

With an evil leer and a smell of gin
He walks the streets of big Wigan
The police would like a word with him
He is the phantom flasher

Chorus
Who is he? Don't know.
Is he here? Probably.
think I see him sitting next to you.
The famous phantom flasher
With a hey down down, with a hoe down down
Hey down, hoe down, has he got em down? (all)
He is the phantom flasher.

In his old grey coat and battered hat
He'll stop you for a friendly chat
You'll be surprised when he shows you that
He is the phantom flasher

Chorus

If you should see him down your way.
You say it looks nice out today.
You'll say that's fine now put it away.
You nasty phantom flasher.

Chorus

As you walk along though fancy free
He could be lurking behind a tree
He'll go to any lengths you see
He is the phantom flasher

Chorus

If you should see him wandering home
And find he's trapped you all alone.
Just say 'no thanks - I'll smoke me own,
He is the phantom flasher

Fantum
No connection whatever to the chap in the song above

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 04:31 PM

Other verses I remember from Gary & Vera include (sorry - I've forgotten how to do line breaks!)

As you walk out all fancy free
He may be lurking behind a tree.
He'll come out and he'll let you see ..
He is the phantom flasher.

If you go walking from your home
And find he's caught you all alone.
Just say 'no thanks - I'll smoke me own,
You nasty phantom flasher.

I think there's another verse, but it escapes me for now!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 11:59 AM

The tune of course is "A Keeper did a-hunting go".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 02:41 PM

here's what I found on the net...not quite the way I remember it...

With a dirty Mack and an evil grin
He walks the streets of old Wiggin
The police would like a word with him
He is the Phantom Flasher

Chorus
Is he here? Don't know.
Could he be? Probably.
think I see him standing next to you.
He is the phantom flasher
With a hey down down, with a hoe down down
Hey down, hoe down, has he got em down? (all)
He is the phantom flasher.

One day he flashed the widow Brown
She went and bought a wedding gown.
Now she chases him all through the town
He is the phantom flasher

Chorus

One day he flashed me in the park
With my spray can I made my mark.
Now he floresces in the dark.
He is the phantom flasher

Chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 02:40 PM

Dave Reader sang it at the Anchor Middle Bar Reunion in February, but I don't think he has e-mail... I'll try the MBS newsgroup if you don't get a better offer.

Kitty

Subject: Lyr Req: The Phantom Flasher
From: GUEST,Ken in Withington
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 02:34 PM

Hi Does anyone have the words to the song The Phantom Flasher? I think that I last heard it on a Gary and Vera Aspey album some years ago but it may not be theirs.