| AKA | My old man The cock linnet song |
| First published | 1919 |
| Lyrics | Fred Leigh | Music | Charles Collins | Roud | V53397 / 322460 |
| Music Hall performers | Marie Lloyd |
| Folk performances | Collected from the singing of: The Keeping Family ; England : London ; 1930-50 Modern performances: The Clancy Brothers |
We had to move away, ‘Cos the rent we couldn't pay The moving van came round just after dark There was me and my old man Shoving things inside the van Which we'd often done before let me remark We packed all that could be packed In the van, and that's a fact And we got inside all we could get inside Then we packed all we could pack On the tail board at the back Till there wasn't any room for me to ride. My old man said follow the van And don't dilly-dally on the way Off went the cart with the home packed in it I walked behind with me old cock linnet But I dillied and I dallied And I dallied and I dillied Lost the van and don't know where to roam I stopped on the way to have the old half quartern And I can't find my way home. I gave a helping hand With the marble wash-hand stand And straight we wasn't getting on so bad All at once the carman bloke Had an accident and broke Well, the nicest piece of china that we had You'll understand of course I was cross about the loss Same as any other human woman would But I soon got over that, what with ‘two-out' and a chat ‘Cos its little things like that what does you good. My old man said follow the van And don't dilly-dally on the way Off went the cart with the home packed in it I walked behind with me old cock linnet But I dillied and I dallied And I dallied and I dillied Lost the van and don't know where to roam Now who's going to put up the old iron bedstead? If I ain't find my way home. Oh I'm in such a mess I don't know the new address Don't even know the blessed neighbourhood And I feel as if I might Have to stay out all the night And it ain't a going to do me any good I don't make no complaints But I'm coming over faint What I want now is a good substantial feed And I sort o' kind o' feel If I don't soon have a meal I shall have to rob the linnet of its seed. My old man said follow the van And don't dilly-dally on the way Off went the cart with the home packed in it I walked behind with me old cock linnet But I dillied and I dallied And I dallied and I dillied Lost the van and don't know where to roam You can't trust these specials like the old time coppers When you can't find your way home.
The famous story of a moonlit flit, with lyrics written by the prolific Fred W Leigh with music by Charles Collins.
Sources:
- Sheet Music: Bumper Book of Music Hall Songs
- Lyrics: monologues.co.uk
Last Updated on November 22, 2024 by John Baxter | Published: December 11, 2019
