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Songs about the British Motor Industry
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Subject: RE: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: GUEST,Louise Fellows Date: 15 Feb 16 - 01:08 PM I have the recording, the record and a book of the song written about my father's Uncle who was Tiny Newman! I was very excited to find out about it! I am now searching for any more information about him (photographs etc) Louise Fellows |
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Subject: RE: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Big Al Whittle Date: 04 Apr 14 - 07:02 PM Andrew Dwyer wrote a song about making segregated buses for the south African market back in the 1970's. Andy was a working class brummy kid in an era when being a folksinger meant wearing a granddad shirt and singing about what a bastard it was to die in the Crimean war. abit like now really. and so winning the melody maker solo folk/rock award for a couple of years running never got him a decent festival spot or any gigs. when will the folk music world be ready for real folks? |
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Subject: RE: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: GUEST,Rog Peek Date: 04 Apr 14 - 05:13 PM Stephen Roche, a regular attender of sessions and rambling houses around the Sliabh Luachra area sings a very amusing song he wrote about his first car which was a Ford Anglia Deluxe. Afraid I don't have the lyrics. Rog |
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Subject: RE: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: GUEST Date: 04 Apr 14 - 07:23 AM Hi Gurney, while attending Fircroft college in Selly Oak in 1972 I met a guy who allegedly wrote "The Motor Trade Worksrs" - he went under the pseudonym of "Dom Perrygrove". Lyrics exactly as your posting. Geordie Len |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: GUEST Date: 20 Sep 07 - 09:22 PM Hi, The songwriter of Khaki and Grey is Ian Macintosh, a.k.a. 'The Pump', lead squeezebox in the Wheeze and Suck Band. The album is in fact 'Elsie Marley's Mates', not as erroniously suggested in my last contact, 'Vincent Street'. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: GUEST,Guest: Alan Symes Date: 19 Sep 07 - 05:58 AM Message for Greg Stephens: Hi Greg, I saw your above post dated 16 July 2007 about the Cowley Ballad etc. What really caught my eye was that you mentioned the name Wymond Symes. Wymond was my father who sadly passed away in 1987. He was a great ballad singer and I would love to hear from you if you have any information on when and where you heard him sing. Regards from Alan Symes. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: GUEST,Guest Date: 19 Sep 07 - 05:50 AM Hi there, this is a message for Greg Stephens : I saw your above post (dated 16 July 07) about the Cowley Ballad etc. What really caght my eye was the |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Indust From: stallion Date: 31 Aug 07 - 08:50 AM "Suicide" Bill Newton's "Knackered shock absorber waltz" |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Mark H. Date: 31 Aug 07 - 08:25 AM The Mini Waltz Isle of Capri The Joe VX4/90 Theme Viva Espana The Estate I'm In Bits and Pieces Shaking All Over Anything by Van Morrison or Tom Plaxton, or on the Victor label Derek & the Dominoes: Leyland Commer Chameleon |
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Subject: ADD: Old Man's Song (Alasdair Clayre) From: GUEST,Young Buchan Date: 31 Aug 07 - 08:02 AM OK. Finally found the words of The Old Man's Song: The Old Man's Song (Alasdair Clayre) When I was young and married my wife You couldn't get a job to save your life; With my wife and son at either hand For two long years I travelled the land: And I reckon I've served my time. My shoes were out. My coat was torn. And then we had our daughter born. But I found this job and I earned our bread, Clothes for our back, a roof for our heads: And I reckon I've served my time. They were cut-throat years - you were fighting your mate With another man waiting for your job at the gate. If the foreman didn't like your face that day You got no work,you got no pay: And I reckon I've served my time. Then we joined the Union and learned to strike. It was six hard weeks but we won that fight. Work to our hands and a worthwhile wage _ We were waking up a golden age: And I reckon I've served my time. But the young men now they dress so fine; They don't know how we fought for this line. They're getting too young to know my face; And their work comes to me at the Devil's pace. And I reckon I've served my time.
-Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Indust From: Susan of DT Date: 16 Jul 07 - 11:39 AM Tiny Newman is in the DT as The Tyre Fitter |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: GUEST,Young Buchan Date: 16 Jul 07 - 10:34 AM To Greg Stephens: I learnt it from 'A Cold Wind Blows' on which Clayre himself sang it. I had the recording until the last time I moved at which point I suspect it went into the Great Vinyl Press in the sky. To everyone: I have been trying to remember The Old Man's Song; all I can manage (I never liked it very much) is the last verse: The young men now they dress so fine; They don't know how we fought for this line. They're getting too young to know my face; And their work comes to me at the Devil's pace. And I reckon I've served my time. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: greg stephens Date: 16 Jul 07 - 09:22 AM I do wonder if the BBC still have the tapes of the Clayre Radio Ballad(s). Anybody know if there were more than one? The legendary Wymond Symes sang on the Cowley Ballad, but I'm not sure if he sang the Tiny Newman song. Young Buchan: how do you know those words? You dont have an original recording do you? |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: GUEST,Young Buchan Date: 16 Jul 07 - 09:14 AM Missed the chorus: Where are you Tiny Newman, come rain and hail and snow? Where are you Tiny Newman when the morning hooters blow? Turn left at number Fifteen Gate and that's where Tiny stands. He's got motor tyres all round him and he's fitting them with his hands. |
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Subject: ADD: The Ballad of Tiny Newman (Alasdair Clayre) From: GUEST,Young Buchan Date: 16 Jul 07 - 09:05 AM The rest of the Tiny Newman song mentioned by Eric the Red: THE BALLAD OF TINY NEWMAN (Alasdair Clayre) They called him Tiny Newman because he was so small, No higher than a lampost, not so broad as he was tall, His job was fitting motor tyres, he did it with his hands, And he took some home when his ma made jam, to use for elastic bands. CHORUS: Where are you Tiny Newman, come rain and hail and snow? Where are you Tiny Newman when the morning hooters blow? Turn left at number Fifteen Gate and that's where Tiny stands. He's got motor tyres all round him and he's fitting them with his hands. One day there was a powercut – the fuel supply was low. The engines started running down and the line was creeping slow. Tiny turned it all by hand and the line went thundering past Till a copper came and ran him in for driving them all too fast. One day they brought in a machine to do our Tiny's job. They said, 'Just pull the lever and press that little knob." When he pulled the lever the whole machine keeled over on the floor; When he pressed the knob he clocked himself off in the Pressed Steel works next door. Scientists from all the world are gathering in crowds To see why flying saucers keep appearing from the clouds. They tell you they're phenomena only science understands – But they're Tiny Newman's rejects going hurtling from his hands. I never shall forget the day that Tiny Newman died – The tyres on the Hearse all went and burst from the weight there was in side. But the off-back door swung open and a voice came from behind "I'll change these four but no bloody more till we get to the other side." My scout when I was at Oxford had worked at Morris and swore the bloke was for real! Clayre wrote another song called The Old Man's Song based on quotes he had from a Morris worker.
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Subject: ADD: Motor Trade Workers (Don Perrygrove) From: GUEST,Malcolm Speake Date: 13 Jul 07 - 06:09 PM Below are the words for Motor Trade Workers, this was a song written by Don Perrygrove who was a toolmaker at the Austin Car Factory at Longbridge in Birmingham (now no more). I think Don went to Wales and became a university lecturer, and good luck to him I say. You can tell from the words he was pretty pissed off with all the criticism car workers used to get at that time. If you're interested Varner Road was a notorious place for prostitution, these days all the girls operate from so called massage parlors. I think Banner Theatre have sung this number as part of one of their productions. Motor Trade Workers (Don Perrygrove) Oh we are those motor trade workers We're labelled as loafers and shirkers We're crippling the country the newspapers say With too low an output and far too much pay Far too much pay far too much pay With too low an output and far too much pay Each morning we rise around seven And drive to our mechanised heaven We drink cans of tea have a laugh and a crack Then the half-seven bell rings and off goes the track Off goes the track off goes the track Then the half-seven bell rings and off goes the track Our track is a steel overseer We pray he'll break down but no fear For his vital organs are switches and knobs And he has us poor working lads sweating great cobs Sweating great cobs sweating great cobs And he has us poor working lads sweating great cobs We're pressing and turning and milling We're finishing and trimming and drilling We paint and wet flat and we rivet and bore While the foreman walks round like a Varner Road whore Varner Road whore Varner Road whore While the foreman walks round like a Varner Road whore The big banker who's running our nation Claims we are the cause of stagflation He sits at his desk on his fat pin stripped arse While we do the donkeywork he counts the brass He counts the brass he counts the brass While we do the donkeywork he counts the brass Our trade fluctuate with the season That's mainly the cause and the reason We organise now and go in with both feet For tomorrow we may well be walking the street Walking the street walking the street For tomorrow we may well be walking the street Investors and financial backers Are greedily counting the ackers That they have procured by a working mans sweat Then the bastards begrudge us the wages we get Wages we get wages we get Then the bastards begrudge us the wages we get So a word to you wealthy fat Tories Who dream up those newspaper stories If it's true what they say and we're all in the stew Then we're the red peppers the dumplings are you Dumplings are you dumplings are you Then we're the red peppers the dumplings are you |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Indust From: NormanD Date: 26 Feb 07 - 03:53 PM Perhaps the best song about car making is "Hard Workin' Man" by Captain Beefheart and Ry Cooder, written by Jack Nitzsche for the film "Blue Collar". It features, as the rhythmic pulse of the song, the thump of pressing machines. The film is set around a car factory. Unfortunately, it's a US film (and song) so probably no good for your collection. I have an old 45 (somewhere) put out by the Ford shop Stewards Committee (Dagenham) as a fund raiser for one of their big strikes in the 1970s. I'll dig it out and report back. Norman |
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Subject: ADD: Khaki and Grey (Ian Macintosh) From: GUEST,The Pump - Wheeze and Suck Band Date: 26 Feb 07 - 03:57 AM This is the lyric from 'Khaki and Grey' - my song about the Morris Cowley and Pressed Steel workers - available on the Wheeze and Suck Band album, 'Vincent Street'. Written as an homage to all those people who came to Oxford between the wars and after 1945 to build cars - and to amaze me when I watched them pass as a child, growing up in Cowley. Khaki and Grey (Ian Macintosh) How well I remember to this very day, Lord Nuffield's army in khaki and grey, they came to our city fresh back from the war to build the famed Bull-Nosed Morris, that prince among cars In rank and in file they swept through our streets, in their old army raincoats they looked so complete, With a flask of hot tea and an old 'tommy's' bag through the cold iron gates for one more daily drag ch Come away, come away, come away at the end of the day we'll away at the end of the day, we'll roll with tide and ten thousand will ride at the charge of the khaki and grey, From all over England and all over wales from the coal mining valley's and cities and dales, they hammered they welded they hauled the black tyres and the pressed steel was gleaming beneath gleaming spires In war and in peacetime they worked night and day and they always defended conditions and pay ten thousand would lift up their hands and they'd shout "to hell with lord Nuffield it's everyone out!" ch but where have the likes of those working men gone? No more Oxford station rings to the Welsh song. Brought down by tyhe Tories whome we all oppose, the factory's a greenfield the iron gate's closed. But mother I feel something shaking my feet, the khaki and grey as they roll down our street. Like the waves on the sea as they crash on the shore they'll pass and they'll fade and go riding no more. ch In winter when oxford is sleeping at night ten thousand grey spirits will have one more ride. The old air raid siren gives one last refrain, and the khaki and grey will go riding again. ch Come away, come away, come away at the end of the day we'll away at the end of the day, we'll roll with tide and ten thousand will ride at the charge of the khaki and grey...COME AWAY.
-Joe Offer- Here's a note of clarification from Sandra in Sydney: |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Girl Friday Date: 23 Feb 07 - 08:13 PM Len's other half here. See Tom Bliss has been on. Thanks for that Tom. I got your demo cd this morning- thank you. I'll give it a spin, and see what we can do regards a booking. I need for the club to pick up a bit. Attendances are low at present. Be in touch. Sue Orpington Friday Folk |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Indust From: LukeKellylives (Chris) Date: 23 Feb 07 - 08:09 PM England's Motorway (Come me Little Son) |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: mumblin len Date: 23 Feb 07 - 08:08 PM Very interesting so far, but not too many songs about motor making - perhaps the factories were so noisy no-one could be heard singing? I still figure there should be more than one or two songs about! Len |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Gurney Date: 23 Feb 07 - 07:55 PM I have a LP somewhere called 'The Wide Midlands' which features a song called, I think, 'Motor Trade Workers.' I'm one of the motor trade workers, we're labelled as loafers and shirkers. We're crippling the country, the newspapers say with too low an output and far too much pay Far too much pay, far too much pay, with too low an output and far too much pay. We rise every morning at seven, and drive to our mechanised heaven, we drink cans of tea, have a laugh and a crack, the the half-seven bell rings and off goes the track..... Our track is a steel overseer, we pray he'll break down, but no fear! For his vital organs are swithes and knobs, and he has us poor working lads sweating great cobs.... There's more, but I'd have to remind myself (old age, you know.) Does anyone want it? |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: GUEST,HughM Date: 23 Feb 07 - 08:00 AM Richie Kavanagh does an amusing song about a Morris Minor on his Aon Focal Eile CD. (The reference to a 1940 Commer van isn't strictly correct though: the Commer brand name didn't exist then!) |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Indust From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 23 Feb 07 - 07:42 AM The Charge of the Khaki & Grey from 'Elsie Marley's Mates' by wheeze & Suck Band 9. The Charge of the Khaki & Grey (Ian Macintosh) Dedicated to the men and women of Morris Motor Works and Pressed Steel Fischer who in my youth poured up and down my street on their bikes twice every working day... Just as our world switched from black and white to technicolour. Unfortunately neither the words or music are on their site. The Wheezers are all pommy migrants & some are morris men as well & they make great music. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Rasener Date: 23 Feb 07 - 06:33 AM Thanks PA George does a lot of lovely songs. He must have his missus crying all the time listening to them :-) |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Scrump Date: 23 Feb 07 - 05:34 AM "Bentley and Craig" by Ralph McTell |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Indust From: Dave Hanson Date: 23 Feb 07 - 04:20 AM They called him Tiny Newman because he was so small, No higher than a lampost, not so broad as he was tall, His job was fitting motor tyres, he did it with his hands, And he took some home when his ma made jam, to use for elastic bands. By Alasdair Clayre as Greg said above. All I can remember eric |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: GUEST, Tom Bliss Date: 23 Feb 07 - 04:10 AM I drove a landrover for many a year But just couldn't get the thing out of first gear I longed to off-road but I couldn't leave town Cos it wouldn't go uphill it only went down So I went to a garage I used to frequent And told the head salesmen I wanted a Bent(ly) He found me a banger, all rust and decay Said customise that and you'll be on your way I went back to my parents, parked it in the porch And set to work with my acetaline torch I added a tailfin, some wings and a jet And everyone said it's the best Bently yet I drove it to Paris, to Moscow and Rome And then I got bored so I drove it back home Parked it up close on the Landrover's patch Poured petrol on both and then tossed in a match I have a much better Landrover now. (True, I do have a song about Eleanor Thornton, model for the Spirit of Ecstasy, who was on the Persia with her lover Lord Beaulieu when she was torpedoed in the Med in 1016. He survived, she didn't lyrics and mp3) |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: The PA Date: 23 Feb 07 - 03:20 AM Hi Villan, I never worked at Longbridge myself, but the old man did, I ask him if he ever met your mates. There was a tale that in its heyday in the 70's someone did actually phone the main switchboard and ask 'can I speak to our Fred, he works on the track' - there were 20 thousand plus working there at the time.!! Just as an aside - Saw George Papavgeris last night at Bromsgrove, he sang a beautiful song about the last nail maker in Bromsgrove, Charlie Troth, got the idea from our local 90 year old historian Bill Kings. Maybe we should get George on to it. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Little Robyn Date: 23 Feb 07 - 01:30 AM Arthur Toms used to sing a parody of the Gypsy rover. I can only remember the last verse: He is no gypsy my father, she said But manager of General Motors And I will stay till my dying day In my gypsy's whistling Rover. Robyn |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Leadfingers Date: 22 Feb 07 - 11:29 PM And No One mentioned The Ballad of Mini Cooper |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 22 Feb 07 - 08:40 PM THE RUSTY FORD CORTINA ~ Mark Gillett (:with apologies, he insists, to Hugh MacDonald!!!) chorus: For the rain always falls on my rusty Ford Cortina Bits keep falling off and get left behind And the muffler's mighty roar Always causes a sensation And I'll drive this hack till the driving's done. Lyr Req: Songs about Fords |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: GUEST Date: 22 Feb 07 - 07:09 PM "Jowett Javelin" Harvey Andrews |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: bubblyrat Date: 22 Feb 07 - 06:54 PM " I"m a Champion at Keeping "em Rolling " mentions an AEC lorry !! |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Richard Bridge Date: 22 Feb 07 - 06:04 PM Paul Carr used to sing Tiny. I don't know if he still does. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: melodeonboy Date: 22 Feb 07 - 04:53 PM Some years ago, when I was living in the Middle East, I bought a battered ten-year-old Range Rover. I had so much trouble with the bloody thing I ended up writing this (to the tune of Wild Rover): I've had a Range Rover for many's the year And I've spent all my money on sprockets and gears But now I'm returning with rials galore I never will drive that Range Rover no more And it's no, nay, never No nay never no more Will I drive that Range Rover No never no more I went to a garage I used to frequent And I told the mechanic my camshaft was bent I aske him to fix it, he answered me "Nay" Saying "If I were you, I'd just chuck it away". Chorus Then out of my pocket I pulled rials bright And the mechanic's eyes opened wide with delight Saying "That'll do nicely, I'll see what I can do, and then it might last you a fortnight or two". Chorus I'll go back to the garage, confess what I've done, I drove to Herne Bay on two wheels just for fun, And if they repair it as oft times before. Then I might have to drive that bloody Range Rover once more Chorus |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Declan Date: 22 Feb 07 - 04:21 PM Mini the Moocher? |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Indust From: Greg B Date: 22 Feb 07 - 03:55 PM Leyland, Lady, Leyland? 'The Incapable Morris?' |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: GUEST,Chris Date: 22 Feb 07 - 03:40 PM I remember years ago hearing a song written by a guy called Peter Rooke. I think he was from the Midlands. The song named all the makes of British motor bikes. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: oldhippie Date: 22 Feb 07 - 03:38 PM Jim Haynes from Australia sings "The Old Holden Waltz"; and Oscar Brand did a whole LP "Sports Car Songs For Big Wheels". Richard Thompson sings about his "MGBGT". But, actually about making British cars, I can't think of any at the moment. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Rasener Date: 22 Feb 07 - 03:36 PM Have a look at this one i-cant-find-brummagem |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Grab Date: 22 Feb 07 - 03:26 PM "Any old iron", given how fast the buggers rusted? Everything from the 1970s onwards was better forgotten. :-( Some friends of ours wrote a "Wild Rover" parody - have to post it if I can remember it. Graham. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Indust From: Susan of DT Date: 22 Feb 07 - 03:24 PM MacColl's Britain's Motorways O Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz There is a keyword of automobile, but it is not on all of them. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Indus From: greg stephens Date: 22 Feb 07 - 03:17 PM When Ewan McColl packed in making Radio Ballads, Charles Oarker(the producer of the original series) got Alisdair(sp?) Clayre(sp?) to take over. How many he made I dont know, but he made at least one, about the Morris works at Cowley(Oxford). I presume(hope?) that the BBC still have tapes. Clayre wrote a number of songs for this, including one I remember "The Ballad of Tiny Newman". It recalls a legendary worker in the 30's, who was so strong he could change tyres with his bare hands, a trick with which he delighted visitors to the works. Now someone, with any luck, might come up with some words and music from this forgotten bit of BBC history. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Rasener Date: 22 Feb 07 - 03:10 PM Take you riding in my car car Hey PA, I know Longbridge was a big place, but did you ever come across Mike Guise and Ray Bond on your Travels. Big mates of mine and worked at Longbridge for many years. Hy home town - Birmingham, not the one in Alabam - Clifford T Ward Bridget the MIDGET - used to have one of those when I was in Brum. Isle Of CAPRI |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Dave Sutherland Date: 22 Feb 07 - 02:44 PM Was "Fisher's Clock" by The Bushbury Mountain Daredevils connected with the West Midland's motor trade? |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Big Al Whittle Date: 22 Feb 07 - 02:38 PM Grey Cortina - Tom Robinson I seem to remember Malc Stent wrote a song when the Metro came out and it was on the telly - the national news on both channels that night. Knowing Malc, flushed with that success, I bet he wrote a few more! |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Jean(eanjay) Date: 22 Feb 07 - 02:36 PM "Greased Lightnin'" John Travolta |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: Jean(eanjay) Date: 22 Feb 07 - 02:30 PM "Red Cortina" The Saw Doctors. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry From: bubblyrat Date: 22 Feb 07 - 02:28 PM Red Velvet Steering -Wheel Covered Driver ?? |
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