Wincott, Harry

A work in progress…

Harry Wincott (1867-1945), the pseudonym of Alfred J Walden, was another prolific professional songwriter. He wrote over 2000 songs published under his own name, and allegedly sold many more so they could be published under the names of others. His Music Hall hits included: When the old Dun cow caught fire and Hinky Dinky Parlez Vous (Mademoiselle from Armentieres). The sad, but tragically familiar story of his death was summarised in his obituary:

This page is a work in progress, but so far I have identified the following songs written by Harry Wincott which have passed into the folk tradition:

  1. Cooking the Cock of the North (3554)
  2. For me! For Me! (5393)
  3. Hi! Johnny, who’s your tailor? (29860)
  4. Hinky Dinky Parlez Vous (4703)
  5. I took it home to Maria (10699)
  6. I’m getting ready for my mother in law (24570)
  7. Little shirt that mother made for me, The (10437)
  8. They’ve all been having a go at it (23316)
  9. Toodle-oodle-lay (16737)
  10. What a Funny Little Place to Have One (1495)
  11. When the old dun cow caught fire (5323)
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