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Old Sheffield Pub Songs!


peterinfrance

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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

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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-ireland.info/music/hammer.html

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Great idea, unless it is one of Mathers I'm devoid of knowledge on this subject ....

In a reply to another topic ...

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