In a reply to another topic (see Holmsfield to Sheffield Bus Service) I recanted an old pub song from the 1950's and probably before even then.
It got me thinking that we should get some of these old songs written down before they are all forgotten, as singsongs as they were, with piano accompaniement
are largely a thing of the past.
So does anyone have any songs to contribute?
To kick this off, the song I recall is as follows and I would be grateful if some one could fill in the missing words
Oh give me a nail and a hammer
and a picture to hang on the wall
give me a pair of step ladders in case that I should fall
Give me a ........................
and a barrel of old scotch ale
I'll bet you I'll hang up that picture
if someone will drive in the na a a ail
if someone will drive in the nail
Over to you....................
peterinfrance
I Don't Work For A Living - Give Me a Hammer
by Edward Lee and James J. Mullan
Oh give me a nail and a hammer
And a picture to hang on the wall
Oh give me a stone stepladder
If you don't, well I might fall
Oh give me a bottle of whiskey
And a barrel of good stong Ale
And I bet you, I'll hang up that picture
If somebody drives the nail
I don't work for a living
I get along alright without
I don't toil all day
I suppose it's because I not built that way
Some people work for love
They say it's all sunshine and gain
But if I can't have sunshine without any work
I guess I'll stay out in the rain.
I've got a pal I think the world of
We never agree, this is why
He says he's the laziest person
That he is more lazy than I
So we made a bet to decide it
I won without trying, you see
When he reached for the dough, I just whispered
"Put the bet in my pocket for me"
I don't work for a living,
I get along all right without.
I live peacefully,
For labor disputes never worry me
I love my family,
And even my mother-in-law
I decided to make them all happy, that's why
I never go home any more.
Now I haven't got a red penny
The reason is I'm always broke
Of pawn tickets I haven't any
My wife's wash is all that's in soak
But I get my three square meals daily
And a place to sleep when it gets dark
If I can't find a bed in the alley
Then I'll find me a bench in the park.
I don't work for a living,
I get along all right without.
Work's not meant for me,
Why, even the thought hurts my dignity
My wife does all the work,
She even puts out the ash-can
But last night I got sore when the neighbors all yelled
"Why don't you put out your old man?"
http://www.of-irelan...sic/hammer.html
