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Lyr Add: The Old Number Ten (Bernard Bolan)

04 Apr 05 - 07:29 AM (#1451543)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE OLD NUMBER TEN (Bernard Bolan)
From: Wolfgang

I know it from Eric Bogle's LP Scraps of Paper. The lyrics are taken from the leaflet in the LP. Most people I think know that feeling described in the song. I surely do.

Wolfgang


THE OLD NUMBER TEN
(Bernard Bolan)

In the town that I once called my home,
It was early in winter; the evening was chill.
Just down for the day, and then far off tomorrow,
I had just a few hours left to kill.

Though I was indifferent, my feet were quite certain
Of just where they wanted to be:
Was off to the Old Number Ten where my friends
Would be drinking and waiting for me.

I first had my doubts when the paint on the outside
Was no longer peeling and old,
And a sign that said gaily "Hot lunches served daily"
Had the blood in my veins running cold.

CHORUS:
You drinking men of the Old Number Ten,
You seem such a long time ago.
You seem so much different since last time we met,
But maybe it's me; I don't know.

Into the bar I went, ordered a jar and then
Looked for a face from the past,
But no one there knew me; the way they looked through me,
I might have been made out of glass.

I said "I used to come here, you know, years and years ago."
"Well, Sir, it must warm your heart
To see, how we've changed it and quite rearranged it
And got it all looking quite smart.

"I can tell by your clothes you're a fella who knows
How a good pub should be run,
With no spitting or swearing or overall-wearing
Like the old days when you used to come".

CHORUS

With a heart that was heavy as I was just ready
To finish my Guinness and go,
I saw a face that glistened by a fire that had listened
To more tales than you'll ever know.

With the years in between, it was foolish to dream
He'd ever remember my face,
But I bought him a beer and as I set it down near him,
The old men looked up from his place.

"By Christ, is it thee?" he said. "Well, bugger me," he said.
"Champion to see thee again!
Isn't it strange how you just haven't changed?" I said.
"Neither have you, my old friend."

Chorus

Eric Bogle's notes: This was written by Bernard Bolan, an Englishman living in Australia. Company lawyer by day, and devil-may-care songwriter by night, he used to get sozzled in this pub in Lancashire. While he was away in Australia the bastards went and renovated it.


Phil Atkinson- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QZRr5W8rI4


04 Apr 05 - 08:04 AM (#1451560)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The old number ten
From: Dave the Gnome

Thanks for that Wolfgang. Does that happen in Germany as well as here then? Well, bugger me, I said... I belive the pub was in Skelmersdale to be more accurate:-) Phil Atkinson does a superb version. If you ever get to see him, request it!

Cheers

DtG


04 Apr 05 - 12:24 PM (#1451775)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The old number ten
From: Wolfgang

Yes, it happens over here too, Dave.

Wolfgang


04 Apr 05 - 12:36 PM (#1451793)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The old number ten
From: Charley Noble

Here's a verse from a parody of "All For Your Grog" that we used to sing about one of our Portland, Maine, haunts that got all gussied up:

Where is me pub, me Old Irish Village Pub?
It's all gone for profit and for plunder!
Now when you walk in the door,
There's carpet on the floor,
And you'll have to wear a tie
To order beer, boys!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble


09 Jan 09 - 09:27 PM (#2536687)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Old Number Ten (Bernard Bolan)
From: Joe_F

thread.cfm?threadid=61540#989808


12 Jan 09 - 12:30 PM (#2538010)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Old Number Ten (Bernard Bolan)
From: GUEST,TOPIC 56

Thanks Wolfgang for the lyrics to Drinking Men at the old number 10.
Think you for got the words for the Chorus.
Think that starts :-
You drinking men at the old number 10
Itseems such a long time ago
What follows?
Just checked my copies of scraps of paper LPs.I have both the Australian issue and the English one they differ by 3 songs. I had looked at The Auissie one


31 Oct 10 - 06:57 PM (#3020332)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Old Number Ten (Bernard Bolan)
From: GUEST,JB

I've uploaded Phil Atkinson performing his version of The Old Number 10 at Swinton Folk Club
Just search Phil Atkinson Swinton Folk club on youtube
JB


04 May 20 - 06:49 AM (#4050292)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Old Number Ten (Bernard Bolan)
From: Dave the Gnome

I've added the video mentioned by JB above to the Mudcat YouTube channel playlist "Other videos of interest". I was thinking about this song earlier and the two lines I like best

"The sign that said, gaily, 'Hot lunches served daily'
Had the blood in my veins running cold"

And

"I saw a face that glistened, by a fire that had listened
To more tales than you'll ever know"

Pure poetry :-)


04 May 20 - 08:03 AM (#4050326)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Old Number Ten (Bernard Bolan)
From: Dave the Gnome

Go to https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC0EWzKky0f5QpERuno9GZfw and look at playlists.


02 Nov 21 - 09:47 PM (#4125029)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Old Number Ten (Bernard Bolan)
From: GUEST,Doug Jenner

Bernard Bolan is a bit of a genius. A writer of funny sings, poignant songs - and a poet.