Old Grey Coat, The

THE OLD GREY COAT
sung by Mr Billy Williams
(Transcribed from 1909 International Zonophone Company recording by John Baxter)


[Spoken] A little story about my old grey coat

I'd sooner lose me life than lose me old grey coat 
I've had it since the day that I got wed
Why, it comes in very handy for the servant's overall 
And to cover up the kids when they're in bed
It's tailor-made and fits me 
Yes there's not the slightest doubt
And every time I wear it you can hear people shout

You've still got your old grey coat on 
You still wear the same coat, Charlie
Why don't you boil it down and make a pot of fat(?)
Or cut it up and make your wife a merry widow hat 
I don't want to talk about it, Charlie
But there's one thing I would like to mention
If me old grey coat keeps another year afloat 
Why its bound to get the old age pension

I'll never part with it, I'll keep it till the day I die 
I'll wear it when I leave this world of care 
And if I go to heaven and the angels don't object
I'll wear me bloomin' old grey coat up there
So don't you be a bit surprised when to wake up one find morn
And hear the angel Gabriel a-blowing on his horn