Lyr Req: Mouse was in the Milk Pail

Subject: Lyr Req: Mouse was in the Milk Pail
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 04:21 AM

Years ago, I interviewed Len Pierce at Goudhurst in Kent for his memories of the 'old songs.' He is still alive, aged 96 so far as I'm aware.

One of the songs he mentioned had the lines 'The mouse was in the milk pail, so I pushed the tom cat in'. This meant nothing to me, and I didn't press him then for details.

Last night, I heard the song performed at a pub near Tunbridge Wells sung to the tune William Brown (Keep That Wheel a-Turning) by another old boy in his seventies who accompanied himself on melodeon, just as I came through the door. I had my cassette recorder with me, but hadn't switched it on!

Anybody out there familiar with the song and know any of the lyrics, or its provenance?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mouse was in the Milk Pail
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 22 Apr 06 - 11:47 AM

See the thread called Lyr Req: She Cost Me Seven and Sixpence, where there are 2 versions a song that contains the line "A mouse was in that milk pail" or "A mouse jumped in the milk pail."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mouse was in the Milk Pail
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:40 AM

Thanks, Jim. The Jim Ward connection certainly points to it being sung in Sussex and Kent.