While researching the history of another track on this EP (The Northamptonshire Poacher) I found a very old book that someone had kindly scanned and uploaded onto the interwebs.
In the margin, under the title "A Northampton Rhyme" someone had scribbled the chorus to this - and I loved it, so I wrote the rest, basing it around the old traditional after hours drinking and singalong sessions at pubs.
lyrics
Down the local tavern every Friday night
We're packing up the tables, putting out the lights
Davey fetches instruments, the drunks scream out for more
The sober ones all leave, they know what is in store
As...
Chorus
Old Gamble bawls, his daughter squawks, old Bodkin beats the time
We make a noise and fright the boys and spoil the doctors rhyme
Cooper Joe he sings so low, we hate to hear him crow ho ho
Baker Nat he sings so flat, flatter still sings Matt
We'd all sit in the corner and we'd have a real good time
The landlord would be caught between the income and the fine
We tried to keep the djembe out of Ricky's heavy hands
No matter what we did it never went to plan
Chorus
The same old songs would be sung every single week
The landlord would be selling beer, the bobbies turned their cheek
Round and round the songs would go, getting more absurd
Now we've all gotten so drunk we've all forgot the...
Chorus
Finally we'd reach the point, ready to go home
Davey would be getting his ears chewed off on the phone
We'd stumble and we'd stagger, with croaky voices sing
As we'd all fall and laugh, just remembering
Chorus
credits
from Rose of the Shires,
released February 25, 2022
Lew Bear/Lewis Robinson - vocals, guitars, music and lyrics (except chorus lyrics) and production.
Duncan Bisatt - bass
Nick Ellison - violin
Chorus lyrics - unknown/traditional
Recorded by the only sound tech Djay Buddha, written by Stoo Nicol and Sketchy. Percussion by me and Paddy, violin by Yuuka and Bass from the gone but not forgotten Broon - what else could you want? Lew Bear
The Alabama duo's fifth album exults in dusty Americana, showcasing rich vocal harmonies alongside blissful folk instrumentation. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 31, 2024
This New Haven duo write bright and emotionally resonant folk music where sweeping strings elevate gorgeous melodies. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 23, 2021