Call round any old time

First Published 1908
Writer/composer E.W. Rogers / J. Chas Moore Roud RN25937

Music Hall Performers Victoria Monks
Folk performances Collected from the singing of:
Hall, Gordon; England : Sussex; 1989
Modern Performances:
Harry Hibbs		 

Two young fellows out in the street Yesterday
One was shabbily clad and he tried
To avoid the well dressed one, who held out his hand
'Are you going to cut me?' he cried.
'What say? too jolly shabby to give me a call
But you'll shake hands with me I suppose?
Come and dine with me, just as you are, I don't mind
For I don't judge a man by his clothes'

Call round any old time and make yourself at home
Put your feet on the mantleshelf,
Open the cupboard and help yourself
I don't care if your friends have left you all alone
Rich or poor, knock at the door, and make yourself at home

Said the Swell, 'Though today I am up in the world
When I first met you, luck on me frowned
You were rich, and I knew that to you I could go
If I wanted a chum or a pound
So come round to my flat, have the best in the place
What you can't eat and drink, take away
For you kept open house for your chums when you'd wealth
And that's why I'm so glad I can say

Another Music Hall song from the early 20th century remembered by singers in south-east England in the latter part of the century. This was originally a hit for Victoria Monks. The words were written by prolific songwriter EW Rogers

Victoria Monks (1884- 1927) was perhaps most famous in Britain for the song Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey, a huge hit for her in 1905. She was born in Manchester and made her first appearances there in 1897 under the name Little Victoria. She was notorious for her tempestuous private life, her many divorces, financial difficulties and brushes with the police. Like so many Music Hall artists she worked a punishing schedule sometimes appearing in five music halls in one night. She died in her early 40s.

Call round any old time sung by Victoria Monks herself:

Sources: