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03 Aug 00 - 04:42 AM (#270869) Subject: 'I Couldn't!'?? From: MartinRyan Anyone know a song (probably bawdy) of this or similar title? Opening verse goes:
With drinks and smokes and jolly jokes, I fancy I got tight When I got home 'twas half past three or rather, nearly four I tried to get the latchkey in the keyhole of my door But I couldn't, I couldn't , I won't tell you a lie Up or down, sure faith so now, the truth I'll not deny And there's no use me deceiving you, for 'pon my soul I wouldn't I tried to get the latchkey in but 'pon my soul I couldn't
Regards |
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03 Aug 00 - 06:37 AM (#270890) Subject: RE: 'I Couldn't!'?? From: Patrish(inactive) Martin, I have done searches using different parts of the text and come up with nothing. Sorry, maybe someone else will recognise it or do a better search. regards Patrish |
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03 Aug 00 - 07:12 AM (#270901) Subject: RE: 'I Couldn't!'?? From: GUEST,George Henderson Martin - That sounds like an old music hall song. John Moulden may be able to help. |
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03 Aug 00 - 07:38 AM (#270911) Subject: RE: 'I Couldn't!'?? From: MartinRyan George I suspect John is already on the case, alright! Its in connection with Declan Coyne's book - which is nearly finished. Regards |
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03 Aug 00 - 08:13 AM (#270918) Subject: RE: 'I Couldn't!'?? From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Sounds like a folk version of the bawdeville song beloved of lady blues singers (?Ma Rainey?)and later imitators like George Melly "You've got the right key but you're working on the wrong keyhole." RtS |
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22 Feb 10 - 10:59 PM (#2847270) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Couldn't From: Jim Dixon WorldCat.org says that the University of Oxford and the British Library have sheet music described thus: I COULD'NT [sic] Author: Arthur Lloyd; H G Banks Publisher: London : Hopwood & Crew, [1887] Document Type: Musical Score OCLC Number: 50229472 Notes: Song for voice and piano. First line: I went to see some dear old pals. First line of chorus: I couldn't. Pictorial t.p. (col.): H.G. Banks, lith. Portrait on t.p.: Arthur Lloyd. Words printed separately on p. 5. Responsibility: written, composed and sung by Arthur Lloyd. I found other apparent music-hall songs titled I COULDN'T, COULD I? - words by S. H. Emmens, music by Joseph Leopold Röckel I COULDN'T GET IN - words by J. P. Harrington, music by Orlando Powell Etc. |
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23 Feb 10 - 07:53 AM (#2847507) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Couldn't From: GUEST I think this is what you're looking for |
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23 Feb 10 - 07:55 AM (#2847510) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Couldn't From: tijuanatime That last post was me: I thought I was logged in. You'll find lots of other music hall songs on that site |
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25 Feb 10 - 11:11 AM (#2849861) Subject: Lyr Add: I COULDN'T (Arthur Lloyd) From: Jim Dixon From the sheet music—see tijuanatime's link above. (Thanks!) I COULDN'T Arthur Lloyd London: Hopwood & Crew, 1887. 1. I went to see some dear old pals of mine the other night, And we'd drinks and smokes and jolly jokes, and I fancy I got tight. When I got home, 'twas half past three, or rather, nearly four. I found my latch key and I tried to open the street door. CHORUS 1: I couldn't! I couldn't! I'll not tell you a lie. I couldn't! That's a fact, and so the truth I'll not deny. It's no use me deceiving you. Upon my word, I wouldn't. I tried to get the latch key in, but 'pon my soul I couldn't! 2. I couldn't find the keyhole, though very hard I tried, When all at once the street door was thrown open very wide. There stood the missus, who exclaimed, "You nasty, horrid man! I can see what you've been at. You're tight. Deny it if you can." CHORUS 2: I couldn't! I couldn't! I'll not tell you a lie. I couldn't! That's a fact, and so the truth I'll not deny. It's no use me deceiving you. Upon my word, I wouldn't. I tried to say I wasn't tight, but 'pon my soul I couldn't! 3. I shut the door, looked dignified, and tried to walk upstairs, But my dignity was dropped, and so was I, quite unawares. My foot caught in the carpet, and down I went full stretch. My wife said, "This is dreadful, James! Get up, you horrid wretch!" CHORUS 3: I couldn't! I couldn't! I'll not tell you a lie. I couldn't! That's a fact, and so the truth I'll not deny. It's no use me deceiving you. Upon my word, I wouldn't. I tried my hardest to get up, but 'pon my soul I couldn't! 4. At last she got me up the stairs and into the bedroom, And said, "You've made me feel so faint, I know that I shall swoon." I sat down on a chair and oh! the pains in my poor head! My wife said, "James, undress yourself at once and go to bed." CHORUS 4: I couldn't! I couldn't! I'll not tell you a lie. I couldn't! That's a fact, and so the truth I'll not deny. It's no use me deceiving you. Upon my word, I wouldn't. I tried to take my garments off, but 'pon my soul I couldn't! 5. Now I never was teetotal, and I never drink too much, But spirituous liquors from that night I never touch, And I feel so much better that, upon my word, I think That coffee, tea and chocolate from this time forth I'll drink. CHORUS 5: I couldn't! I couldn't! I'll not tell you a lie. I couldn't! That's a fact, and so the truth I'll not deny. It's no use me deceiving you. Upon my word, I wouldn't. I've tried to be teetotal, but 'pon my soul I couldn't! |