First Published | 1909 |
Writer/composer | RP Weston, FJ Barnes and Maurice Scott | Roud | RN29706 |
Music Hall Performers | Rosie Lloyd |
Folk performances | Collected from the singing of: Bentall, Brenda; England; 1970 |
Sammy Simpson ev'ry morning used to ride To the city in the tram and by his side Sat a little lady who would blush so red... Ev'ry time he smiled but not a word was said... Rosa was the name upon her brooch, that's so And Sammy sighed "This girlie I should like to know" Ev'ry morning I meet Rosa, Riding on the tramway car Smile a loving smile which shows her Just how things are. Though I'd like to speak to Rosa, Silent I must be. For nobody who I know knows her, To introduce her to me. Riding home at even-time that lovelorn boy Watch'd for her to board the tram and thrill'd with joy When the car was crowded she forgot her pride And would seem to nestle closer to his side If she saw her standing then the spoony chap Would offer her his seat and wish it was his lap Sammy now quite happy says he's free from care, Once she forgot her purse he paid for her fare; "Take my card" she whispered in a grateful way "Call and I'll repay you" so he call'd next-day Popped the question quickly, "Now she's mine" says Sam "We had a silent courtship in the dear old tram"
A song written by three different songwriters: RP Weston, FJ Barnes and Maurice Scott. It was performed by Rosie Lloyd in around 1909/10. Rosie (1879-1944) was the sister of Marie Lloyd, but was a well-known performer in her own right.
In 1970 a fragment of the chorus of this song was collected from the singing of Brenda Bentall by Roy Palmer, whose version can be found on the British Library Website
I have failed to find any recordings …
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%3A29706
- Kilgarrif Sing Us
- Lyrics and Sheet Music: Weekly Dispatch (London), 24 July 1910, p15
- Image: Reynolds’s Newspaper – Sunday 30 March 1930.
Last Updated on June 14, 2022 by John Baxter | Published: June 14, 2022