Lyr Req: Coventry Jack of All Trades

Subject: I can't find Coventry!
From: GUEST,David Dilittante
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 07:54 AM

Anybody know the words to this song! Roy Palmer said a Coventry version of 'I can't find ......' exists, but I can't find it. Thanks

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: The Shambles
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 09:09 AM

It must have been sent there......

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 11:33 AM

Ask the Luftwaffe, they found it alright



Sorry ..................... I'll go and do the washing up shall I ?

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: GUEST,viglen
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 11:41 AM

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: GUEST,viglen
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 11:42 AM

sorry - I am an infrequent visitor.

I think it's just below Leicester city in the table.

Head down, waiting for sky blues to retaliate!

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: Cluin
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 12:14 PM

He's right here.

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: Schwa
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 03:26 PM

So far, not very helpful, but quite amusing!

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: The Shambles
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 06:31 AM

Yet to reach a CLIMAX...

If we keep the thread going long enough with silly jokes - someone may see the thread and provide some more positive help

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 08:06 AM

Well I dont understand the original question !!

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: Cluin
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 08:16 AM

Ditto, here. Are you looking for a song called "I Can't Find Coventry"?

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: GUEST,Lady Godiva
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 09:04 AM

It's all over anyway you pervo

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: Snuffy
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 09:20 AM

Mairi found Coventry all right last weekend, but she couldn't find Bedworth!

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: Cluin
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 09:32 AM

My condolences. I guess everybody has a off day (or night).

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: Fergie
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 11:26 AM

Can't find Coventry?

Count your lucky stars.

Fergus

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: annamill
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 01:49 PM

It's in Rhode Island, isn't it?

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: Schwa
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 04:46 PM

Look, I've just realized that the song I'm after is the 'Coventry Jack of all trades'. I don't know what I was thinking of when I posted my original thread. However I don't want to start a new thread as that would be really embarrassing. So, if anybody reads this, please now refer to 'Coventry Jack of all trades'. I'm really sorry to all the previous responses, who have clearly been searching high and low to find words to 'I can't find Coventry' (except for Guest 'Lady Godiva' – I don't understand you). I think between us all, we can find the words to the song without drawing attention to my error. Cheerio for now.

It was an easy mistake to make - don't make an issue out of it.

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 04 Dec 04 - 03:31 AM

Bless you.

eric

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: GUEST,greg stephens
Date: 04 Dec 04 - 03:54 AM

I think Lady Godiva was pointing out that there has only ever been one reason to go to Coventry, and it has already happened, so basically there is no reason to try to find the place.

Subject: RE: I can't find Coventry!
From: The Shambles
Date: 04 Dec 04 - 06:36 AM

I think that this post was possibly pointing out that COVENTRY had indeed already CLIMAXed............

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coventry version of 'Jack of All Trades'
From: GUEST,One of the JoeClones
Date: 08 Dec 04 - 07:03 PM

The thread has been renamed. Maybe it will get a better response now.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coventry version of 'Jack of All Trades'
From: Flash Company
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 06:04 AM

I've got a Manchester version if anyone is interested, but can't help with Coventry.

FC

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coventry version of 'Jack of All Trades'
From: MartinRyan
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 06:29 AM

..and a Dublin version... Sure, we have the palce surrounded!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coventry version of 'Jack of All Trades'
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 07:14 AM

In Roy Palmer's own book The Sound of History he says of the song: "In other ballads, usually entitled 'Jack of All Trades', the emphasis shifts from different towns to trades within a particular town - Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool and Dublin and others, no doubt. The theme of wandering us retained in first lines like 'I am a jolly roving blade', and the verbal dexterity of the verse seems to have them very popular. 'Dublin Jack of All Trades' remained in oral circulation until the twentieth century". (He then quotes 2 verses from the Dublin version).

So in 1988 he seemed to be unaware of a Coventry version himself! The Roud Index has no mention of a Coventry version (as far as I can see) and a quick search of the Bodleian didn't find one. Perhaps you could ask Roy Palmer. (Where was the original reference?)

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coventry version of 'Jack of All Trades'
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 09:17 AM

I only know of the Birmingham version which I think was posted some years ago. I was probably the one who asked for it, having remembered Ian Campbell singing in in the 1960s.
If it isn't in the Digital Tradition I can dig it out of my own lyrics archive.

RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coventry version of 'Jack of All Trades'
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 09:38 AM

To save time, here it is any way:

BIRMINGHAM JACK OF ALL TRADES
(As collected by Roy Palmer in "Touch of the times")

I am a jolly roving blade
They call me Jack of all trades
I always fixed my chief delight
In kissing of the fair maids
To Birmingham I did set out
To seek a situation
I'd often heard folks say it was
The toy shop of the nation

Chorus:
I'm a roving Jack of all trades
Of every trade and all trades
And if you want to know my name
They call me Jack of all trades

Twas in the Bull Ring first I went
There I became a porter
I with my master soon fell out
And cut acquaintance shorter
In Bull Street was a pastry cook
Dale End an undertaker
Then I removed to Friday Street
There I set up coffin maker

In Pinfold Street I sold rag mops
In Bread Street was a grinder
In Dudley Street I lost my wife
Thank God I could never find her
In Hill Street I sold black puddings
In Edmund Street made mouse traps
At the Old Wharf I did sell coal
In Suffolk Street made louse traps

In Digbeth was a waterman
St Martin's Lane a saddler
In Ran's Yard was a slaughterman
In Park Street was a fiddler
In Spiceal Street I sold hot pudding
At Friday Bridge sold charcoal
In Philip Street sold blacking paste
In High Street kept the louse-hole

In Smallbrook Street made candle-sticks
In Worcester Street a broker
In Floodgate Street made fire-irons
Both shovel, tongs and poker
In Ann Street was a dialist
Newhall Street a die-sinker
In New Street drove a hackney coach
In Moor Street was a printer

In Broad Street I made spectacles
In Sand Street an engraver
In Weaman Street a gun maker
In Newton Street a pavior
In Snow Hill was a pawnbroker
In Shadwell Street a sawyer
In Bromsgrove Street made coffin nails
In Cannon Street a lawyer

In Temple Street I sold shaloon
In Queen Street a cork cutter
In Colmore Street I kept a shop
Sold bacon cheese and butter
In John Street I sold faggots hot
Of which I often boasted
And then in London Prentice Street
Sold mutton ready roasted

In Swallow Street made bellow pipes
In Wharf Street was a blacksmith
In Beak Street there I did sell tripe
In Freeman Street was a locksmith
In Cherry Street I was a quack
In Summer Lane sold pancakes
Oh then at last I got a knack
To manufacture worm cakes

In Wood Street I sold sandpaper
In Buck Street I sold prayer books
In Duddeston Street made pattern cards
In Doe Street I sold fishhooks
In Ashted I made jew's harp springs
In Thomas Street made awl blades
So now you know the ups and downs
Of a jolly Jack of all trades


RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coventry version of 'Jack of All Trades'
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 09:55 AM

Just a thought but could the 'Coventry Jack Of All Trades' have any thing to do with Ron Shuttleworth ? A resident of that city and a superb rewriter of old songs !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coventry version of 'Jack of All Trades'
From: Jenny S
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 06:24 AM

I remember a version being sung in the early 70s at the Napton, Rugby and Kenilworth clubs (ie around the Coventry area) with a very slightly different chorus:

I'm a roving Jack of many a trade
Of every trade and all trades
And if you want to know my name
They call me Jack of all trades

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coventry version of 'Jack of All Trades'
From: Gurney
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 02:01 AM

You could try the Coventry Mummers website and ask there.