Billy Muggins

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: