21 Oct 99 - 04:33 PM (#126509) Subject: The Old Couple - comic song From: Melbert Can anyone help me out with this song which I heard a year or two back in a folk program on BBC Radio2. I wrote down the name of the song and of the female duo who sang it and then cleverly lost the paper. The song was basically an old (and corny) joke set to music (in the manner of the Bantam Cock, or The Rabbi and the Irish Priest). The joke basically concerned an old couple approaching retirement, with the man worryiiong about how they would manage for money. His wife points to the row of houses opposite and informs heim that they, in fact, own the houses. She explains that every time they made love she put a few shillings away. He replies that she should have told him what she was doing and then he wouldn't have played away from home, so they could have bought the pub on the corner as well. She has to tell him that she has, in fact, bought the pub too - for the milkman! I'd love to get a recording of the song if anyone can point me in the right direction. |
25 Oct 99 - 03:25 AM (#127707) Subject: RE: The Old Couple - comic song From: Songbird Mel, it was called the Yorkshire Couple and I believe Kate Rusby sang it on that programme. I liked it too so here you are. I hope you remember the tune. |
25 Oct 99 - 03:47 AM (#127709) Subject: Lyr Add: THE YORKSHIRE COUPLE (Jim Mackie)^^ From: Songbird The Yorkshire Couple Its of a Yorkshire couple, this story I'll relate, Who waited on retirement with apprehension great. In their little mill tied cottage, said Amos feeling low, We've to leave this house tomorrow, wherever shall we go. Wherever shall we go, wherever shall we go. We've to leave this house tomorrow, wherever shall we go. Said Martha unto Amos, well don't you fret old lad, The thought of your retirement, it ought to make you glad. Since the minute we got married I've saved for a rainy day, Each time that we made love I put half a crown away. Do you see that row of cottages, down by Dog and Gun, We hadn't been married but a year before I'd bought first one, The second two years later, the third it brought me tears, The fourth one took much longer, over twenty years. Said Amos unto Martha, you know I love you so, And now I see the wisdom of reaping what you sow. But one thing vexes me though, why did you never tell, If I hadn't of played away, I'd have had Dog and Gun as well. Said Martha unto Amos, well you know I love you dear, But when you said you were working late, well I knew where you were. D'ye remember our old milkman, the one that were such fun, Well I did the same wi' him, and I bought him Dog and Gun. ^^ |
25 Oct 99 - 05:43 AM (#127717) Subject: RE: The Old Couple - comic song From: Melbert That's the one!!! Thanks a million, songbird Mel |
12 Jun 00 - 09:36 AM (#241403) Subject: Old Dog & Duck From: JCS I am looking for the lyrics of a song which I think is called "The Old Dog & Duck". The theme is love and (in)fidelty. I cannot remember exactly how the story goes but it is along the lines of every time the husband played away she had a visit from a lover. The money she put away each time went to buy the "Old Dog & Duck " - for the lover!! |
12 Jun 00 - 09:55 AM (#241416) Subject: Lyr Add: THE YORKSHIRE COUPLE (from Kate Rusby)^^ From: GUEST,Ed Pellow Kate Rusby sings it under the title "The Yorkshire Couple" THE YORKSHIRE COUPLE Its of a Yorkshire couple, this story I'll relate, Who waited on retirement with apprehension great. In their little mill tied cottage, said Amos feeling low, We've to leave this house tomorrow, wherever shall we go? Wherever shall we go, wherever shall we go? We've to leave this house tomorrow, wherever shall we go? Said Martha unto Amos, well don't you fret old lad Do you see that row of cottages, down by Dog and Gun, Said Amos unto Martha, you know I love you so, Said Martha unto Amos, well you know I love you dear, Ed ^^ |
09 Jul 00 - 04:57 PM (#254677) Subject: The Yorkshire Couple From: Dorrie I don't know the full words if anybody knows the words please help. Dorrie |
09 Jul 00 - 04:59 PM (#254678) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Yorkshire Couple From: Branwen23 can you post some of the lyrics to help get us started? -branwen- |
09 Jul 00 - 04:59 PM (#254679) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Yorkshire Couple From: GUEST Can you give us a line or two to identify the song better? |
09 Jul 00 - 05:14 PM (#254684) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Yorkshire Couple From: Ed Pellow You can find the song in the forum here Ed |
09 Jul 00 - 06:25 PM (#254719) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Yorkshire Couple From: JohnB Great song, never heard it before. What is the tune??? JohnB |
10 Jul 00 - 08:10 AM (#255002) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Yorkshire Couple From: Dorrie THE ONLY BIT I CAN REMEMBER IS- If i hadn't played away i'd have had dog and gun aswell dog and gun as well dog and gun aswell oh if i hadn't played away i'd have had dog and gun aswell Which is quite near the end but sorry i can't remember any more |
10 Jul 00 - 09:02 AM (#255029) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Yorkshire Couple From: Ed Pellow Dorrie, Did you follow the link I posted above? Ed |
10 Jul 00 - 02:19 PM (#255192) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old Dog & duck From: Joe Offer Anybody got a tune? |
10 Jul 00 - 02:49 PM (#255215) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old Dog & duck From: Ed Pellow Joe, Would a midi be OK? I really can't (be bothered to) understand ABC. I'll try and dig a tape out and do something accurate - otherwise you'll have to rely on my memory - but that's the folk process, I guess... Where should I send it? Ed |
10 Jul 00 - 05:40 PM (#255324) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old Dog & duck From: Dorrie Thank you thank you thank you sooooooooooo much it's been really bugging me. God in't mudcat ace love dorrie xxx |
10 Jul 00 - 07:03 PM (#255387) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old Dog & duck From: Joe Offer MIDI is the weapon of choice, Ed. Go for it. I'll really appreciate it. click on my name to e-mail me the MIDI, if you don't want to deal with MIDITEXT. You sure contribute a lot of great songs and information. -Joe Offer (click)- |
28 Aug 00 - 08:20 AM (#286420) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old Dog & duck From: Alan of Australia G'day, Thanks to Ed & Joe the tune for "The Yorkshire Couple" can be found here at the Mudcat MIDI site.
Cheers, |
27 Mar 01 - 05:57 AM (#426385) Subject: Lyr Add: THE YORKSHIRE COUPLE (Jim Mackie) From: JudeL DOG AND GUN
'Tis of a Yorkshire couple, this story I’ll relate,
Said Martha unto Amos, “Now don't you fret, ol' lad.
“You know that row of cottages down by the Dog and Gun?
Said Amos unto Martha, “You know I love you so,
Said Martha unto Amos, “You know I love you dear, |
27 Mar 01 - 06:09 AM (#426389) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Yorkshire Couple From: JudeL P.S. its sung to the tune of the female drummerboy |
27 Mar 01 - 10:07 AM (#426504) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Yorkshire Couple From: GUEST,Sooze (at work) I cadged the song from the singing of Kate Rusby although I don't think she has recorded it. |
27 Mar 01 - 01:17 PM (#426679) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Yorkshire Couple From: Malcolm Douglas The lyrics were posted last year, here: The Yorkshire Couple, and there is a midi of the tune at the Mudcat Midi Pages: Click to Play It was also posted back in 1999, here: The Old Couple - comic song Malcolm |
27 Mar 01 - 01:40 PM (#426715) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old Dog & duck From: GUEST Les from Hull could come in on this, cos I know Maggie sings it, but i don't know whether the title is the same. |
27 Mar 01 - 01:48 PM (#426728) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old Dog & duck From: Sorcha We now have 2 threads on this, could someone consolidate? The other is here It will make searching later a lot easier if it could be done...... |
27 Mar 01 - 01:53 PM (#426734) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old Dog & duck From: Malcolm Douglas Blowed if I know why people have started posting to this thread again, but I've put links in the latest thread to this one, and to another from 1999... |
27 Mar 01 - 01:57 PM (#426741) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old Dog & duck From: Sorcha (hi, Malcolm!) I stuck it in the help forum too. |
17 Jul 01 - 05:29 PM (#508980) Subject: Yorkshire Couple, The From: GUEST I'm looking for the lyrics to a slightly bawdy song that I heard Kate Rusby perform in concert the other night called The Yorkshire Couple. The lyrics were about a couple who put away a crown every time they made love. Any help would be appreciated! |
17 Jul 01 - 05:35 PM (#508986) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Yorkshire Couple, The From: GUEST,Willa There's been a thread about this within the last few months; you'll probably find it with a forum search. Otherwise, Les from Hull will probably help, 'cos Maggie sings it. |
17 Jul 01 - 05:38 PM (#508988) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Yorkshire Couple, The From: GUEST,Willa Can't do blicky's (yet) but the thread was in March; do a forum search putting Yorkshire couple in the subject line and you'll find it. |
17 Jul 01 - 05:38 PM (#508990) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Yorkshire Couple, The From: Pene Azul Here's that thread. Also, here are the lyrics. Jeff |
10 Nov 10 - 07:53 PM (#3028848) Subject: Lyr Add: THE YORKSHIRE COUPLE (Jim Mackie) From: Joe Offer Here's the version in the Digital Tradition, the original in italics and a repaired version in regular typeface. Any suggestions for corrections? THE YORKSHIRE COUPLE Its of a Yorkshire couple, this story I'll relate, Who waited on retirement with apprehension great. In their little mill tied cottage, said Amos feeling low, We've to leave this house tomorrow, wherever shall we go. Wherever shall we go, wherever shall we go. We've to leave this house tomorrow, wherever shall we go. Said Martha unto Amos, well don't you fret old lad, The thought of your retirement, it ought to make you glad. Since the minute we got married I've saved for a rainy day, Each time that we made love I put half a crown away. Do you see that row of cottages, down by Dog and Gun, We hadn't been married but a year before I'd bought first one, The second two years later, the third it brought me tears, The fourth one took much longer, over twenty years. Said Amos unto Martha, you know I love you so, And now I see the wisdom of reaping what you sow. But one thing vexes me though, why did you never tell, If I hadn't of played away, I'd have had Dog and Gun as well. Said Martha unto Amos, well you know I love you dear, But when you said you were working late, well I knew where you were. D'ye remember our old milkman, the one that were such fun, Well I did the same wi' him, and I bought him Dog and Gun. @humor @aging @money filename[ YORKCOUP SB apr00 THE YORKSHIRE COUPLE It's of a Yorkshire couple, this story I'll relate, Who waited on retirement with apprehension great. In their little mill-tied cottage, said Amos feeling low, We've to leave this house tomorrow, wherever shall we go? Wherever shall we go, wherever shall we go. We've to leave this house tomorrow, wherever shall we go? Said Martha unto Amos, well don't you fret old lad, The thought of your retirement, it ought to make you glad. Since the minute we got married I've saved for a rainy day, Each time that we made love I put half a crown away. I put half a crown away.... Do you see that row of cottages, down by Dog and Gun, We hadn't been married but a year before I'd bought first one, The second two years later, the third it brought me tears, The fourth one took much longer, over twenty years. Over twenty years... Said Amos unto Martha, you know I love you so, And now I see the wisdom of reaping what you sow. But one thing vexes me though, why did you never tell, If I hadn't of played away, I'd have had Dog and Gun as well. Dog and Gun as well.... Said Martha unto Amos, well you know I love you dear, But when you said you were working late, well I knew where you were. D'ye remember our old milkman, the one that were such fun, Well I did the same wi' him, and I bought him Dog and Gun. I bought him Dog and Gun... @humor @aging @money filename[ YORKCOUP SB apr00 There's a YouTube recording of the song here (click) There is no listing for this song in the Traditional Ballad Index, in Roud, or or in the Folktrax archive. |
11 Nov 10 - 05:44 AM (#3029131) Subject: RE: req/ADD: The Yorkshire Couple From: GUEST,padgett The song was written by Jim Mackie from Pontefract, who worked at The Quaker school in Ackworth! His CD says he has a web site at www.jimackie.com I think the song may have been added to by Roy Atkinson and I believe Dave Burland also sang it It is not traditional! Ray |
11 Nov 10 - 05:57 AM (#3029141) Subject: RE: req/ADD: The Yorkshire Couple From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie Just north of Bradford, near Haworth, there is a hill with a few cottages and the Dog & Gun. Stayed there last year when playing locally. Musing on whether it was the inspiration or not? |
11 Nov 10 - 01:40 PM (#3029540) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old Dog & duck / Dog & Gun From: GRex The tune that I use is the same as the trad song 'The Female Drummer' GRex |
11 Nov 10 - 07:00 PM (#3029838) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old Dog & duck / Dog & Gun From: Steve Gardham That's the only tune I've heard to it too and it's sung a lot in Yorkshire. |
11 Nov 10 - 11:52 PM (#3030012) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old Dog & duck / Dog & Gun From: JohnB They just don't listen to you Malcolm, not even ten years later.. On the brighter side, John Boden sang it on his Folk Song a Day blog ✓ Yorkshire Couple 2:32 29/08/2010 Track #67 from Jon Boden's A Folk Song A Day Probably not available for free anymore, but avilable on the August CD or paid download. The Kate Rusby version is on You tube but you have to search a bit, I forget what the title of the clip is, it is from a live concert. JohnB. |
12 Nov 10 - 12:16 AM (#3030022) Subject: RE: The Yorkshire Couple From: Artful Codger Kate Rusby clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nLM0azB0H0 "Yorkshire Couple" is in the clip title (now), so it should be easy to find, unless you're searching for "Dog and Gun". |
12 Nov 10 - 05:40 AM (#3030146) Subject: RE: req/ADD: The Yorkshire Couple From: Geoff the Duck I often see Jim and his wife setting out in walking boots and hiking gear, so it isn't impossible that they know the Dog & Gun at Leeming, near Keighley. Lots of good walking in Wuthering Heights country. That said, there are other real Dog and Gun pubs in Leeds, Bradford, Dewsbury and also north of Keighley, at Glusburn. Jim is from Pontefract, so Leeds or Dewsbury would be closer but not as interesting a walk. Chances are the pub name was just a better rhyme than the Red Lion. Quack! GtD. |
12 Nov 10 - 06:00 AM (#3030159) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old Dog & duck / Dog & Gun From: GUEST,padgett Please be sure that you check the other thread just above! It is not a traditional song, but was written by Jim Mackie of Pontefract! Ray |
27 Feb 14 - 08:34 AM (#3605398) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Dog and Duck? / The Yorkshire Couple From: GUEST,Paul the novice Hi Does anyone know the chords to this song please. I am a relative novic and would love to strum valong to this Paul |
27 Feb 14 - 11:05 AM (#3605456) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Dog and Duck? / The Yorkshire Couple From: MoorleyMan Ray is correct - the estimable Jim Mackie of Pontefract is indeed the author. But the final verse was added later, by (I believe) Roy Atkinson (not of Pontefract!), and the song is almost never heard without that final verse. |
01 Mar 21 - 06:19 PM (#4095593) Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Dog and Gun? / The Yorkshire Couple From: Joe Offer Other songs to this melody: Yellow's on the Broom Your Daughters and Your Sons (Tommy Sands) |
02 Mar 21 - 05:20 AM (#4095648) Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Dog and Gun? / The Yorkshire Couple From: GUEST,JeffB The inspiration for the song is likely to be "Owd Ailse’s Thrift", a poem by William Barron (1865 – 1927), who wrote in Lancashire dialect under the name Bill o’ Jacks. In the poem, an old weaver comes home to tearfully tell his wife that he has been dismissed because he is now unable to keep up with the younger weavers, whereupon his wife informs him that she had saved and bought their house long before. Although the story seems far-fetched, a note to the poem on the allpoetry.com website says, "The facts of this piece seem unlikely given the conditions existing at the time but it is a matter of fact that, in 1883, it was shown, in the very unpoetical atmosphere of the Blackburn County Court, that a Mrs. Houlgrave, whose husband never earned more than twenty-two shillings a week, had not only brought up a family, but had, unknown to her husband, saved £364 out of his earnings. A sum easily worth a hundred times more today!" |
03 Mar 21 - 08:08 AM (#4095821) Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Dog and Gun? / The Yorkshire Couple From: The Man from UNCOOL Jim Mackie's website, given above in 2010, seems now defunct. A search for the same, using 2 'm's, led to a lumber supplier in the US. The only results to a search for JM on Mudcat is this thread, and I get nothing at all on the wider Net, using "Jim Mackie" Pontefract. |
03 Mar 21 - 10:08 PM (#4095941) Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Dog and Gun? / The Yorkshire Couple From: cnd Here's how the site appeared in 2010, when padgett shared the link: https://web.archive.org/web/20100525194937/http://www.jimackie.com/ Not much on there. Looks like his site went offline some time between September 2017 and March 2018. The contents never changed much that I saw. |
04 Mar 21 - 03:24 AM (#4095958) Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Dog and Gun? / The Yorkshire Couple From: r.padgett Jim wasn't a young lad in 2010 ~ not seen or heard of for sometime Ray |