AKA | |
First Published | 1906 |
Writer/composer | Charles Ridgewell | Roud | RN23307 |
Music Hall Performers | Charles R Whittle |
Folk performances | Collected from the singing of: Smith, Bill ; England : Shropshire ; 1979 Jones, Frank ; England : West Midlands ; 1984 Modern performances Chas N Dave |
BILLY MUGGINS Written and composed by Charles Ridgwell - 1906 Performed by Charles R. Whittle (1874-1947) My name is Billy Muggins, but for that I'm not to blame Some people say that I am just as silly as my name I'm working at a factory, my work mates never mix with me Each night they all go in the pub, while I go home and have some grub. I'm Billy Muggins - commonly known as a Juggins Silly Billy, that's what my friends call me I'm quite content with my own little lot I mean to stick to the money I've got I'm Muggins the Juggins, and Muggins I'll always be... I had an invitation from some friends the other day They'd got a big card party on, so I went there to play When I arrived 'twas plain to see, a fool, they thought, they'd got in me But when I'd finished playing there, I'd won ten pounds I do declare. I'm Billy Muggins - commonly known as a Juggins Silly Billy, that's what my friends call me When I had got their ten sov'reigns all right Why did I get up and bid them good night? I'm Muggins the Juggins, and Muggins I'll always be... My brother lost a breach of promise case, and had to pay The nice love-letters he wrote to the girl gave him away I courted once that self-same Miss, she might have breach of promised this Although I said she should be mine, to her I never wrote a line. I'm Billy Muggins - commonly known as a Juggins Silly Billy, that's what my friends call me When she said love-letters gave her delight Why did I tell her I could not write? I'm Muggins the Juggins, and Muggins I'll always be... I never stay out late at night, I never want to roam My landlady is good to me, so Muggins stops at home My landlord thinks it only right for him to stop out late at night Why does he leave a chap like me to keep his missus company? I'm Billy Muggins - commonly known as a Juggins Silly Billy, that's what my friends call me Why does my landlady call me a 'dear' Treat me to 'smokes' and to bottles of beer? I'm Muggins the Juggins, and Muggins I'll always be.
A song written and composed by Charles Ridgwell, performed on the Music Hall stage by Charles R Whittle. The surname “Muggins” has been in use in comic settings since the late 18th century to indicate a foolish person, early examples include Matt Muggins the Excise Man in the play Tony Lumpkin in Town (1774) and Miss Margery Muggins in the song of the same name in The Agreeable Songster (1794).
The song was popular with troops in the First World War and was widely sung by Australian, Canadian and British servicemen.
An early 20th century recording:
A late 20th-century recording by Chas n Dave:
Sources:
- Entries in the Roud Indexes at the Vaughn Williams Memorial Library: https://archives.vwml.org/search/all:single[folksong-broadside-books]/0_50/all/score_desc/extended-roudNo_tr%3A23307
- Kilgarrif Sing Us
- Lyrics: monologues.co.uk archived at The Wayback Machine
- Sheet Music:
- “Muggins” in Green’s Dictionary of Slang
Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by John Baxter | Published: January 2, 2024