AKA | Liza |
First Published | 1892 |
Writer/composer | Albert Chevalier | Roud | RN15686 |
Music Hall Performers | Albert Chevalier |
Folk performances | Collected from the singing of: Levers, Eryl; USA : Wisconsin; 1946 Modern performances Herman’s Hermits Stanley Holloway |
I knows a little donah, I'm about to own 'er She's agoin' to marry me At fust she said she wouldn't, then she said she couldn't Then she whispered “Well I'll see” Sez I “Be Missis 'Awkins, Missis 'En'ry 'Awkins Or across the seas I'll roam So 'elp be Bob I'm crazy, Lizer you're a daisy Won't yer share my 'umble 'ome?” Oh Lizer, Sweet Lizer If yer die an old maid you'll only 'ave yerself to blame D'y'ear Lizer? Dear Lizer 'Ow d'yer fancy 'Awkins for yer other name? I shan't forget our meetin', “G'arn” was 'er greetin' “Just yer mind wot you're about” 'Er pretty 'ead she throws up, then she turns 'er nose up Sayin' “Let me go, I'll shout!” “I like your style” sez Liser, thought as I'd surprise 'er Cops 'er round the waist like this Sez she “I must be dreamin', chuck it, I'll start screamin'.” “If yer do” sez I “I'll kiss.” She wears a artful bonnet, feathers stuck upon it Coverin' a fringe all curled She's just about the sweetest, prettiest and neatest Doner in the wide, wide world And she'll be Missis 'Awkins, Missis 'En'ry 'Awkins Got 'er for to name the day Settled it last Monday, so to church on Sunday Off we trots the donkey shay. Oh Lizer, Sweet Lizer If yer die an old maid you'll only 'ave yerself to blame D'y'ear Lizer? Dear Lizer Missis 'En'ry 'Awkins is a fust class name.
In the early 1890s Albert Chevalier had a hit with this song that he also wrote and composed. Sometimes he sang the verses , and sometimes he recited them. 50 years later it turned up in the repertoire of a traditional singer in Wisconsin… Chevalier called the song a Cockney Carol and in performance apparently struck a fine balance between comedy and mawkish sentimentality. You can judge for yourself by listening to the recording below.
Albert Chevalier sings it:
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%3A15686
- Kilgarrif Sing Us
- Lyrics and Sheet Music: monologues.co.uk
- Image courtesy of British Library
Last Updated on July 23, 2021 by John Baxter | Published: July 23, 2021