Things that a man can’t do
AKA | That’s what a man can’t do |
First Published | 1906 |
Writer/composer | Chas Collins and Chas Ridgewell | Roud | RN37493 |
Music Hall Performers | Whit Cunliffe, Joe Archer |
Folk performances | Collected from the singing of: O’Donnell, Seamus; Ireland : Co. Clare; 2007 |
From the Weekly Dispatch, which published a song a week between 1903 and 1917: A woman is a creature who can do a lot of things Things that a man can't do Every time I see a woman, to my mind it always brings Things that a man can't do A parrot talks a little, but a man can talk a lot A woman can talk until she drives you off your dot Fellows think they get the best of women but they don't, To make a woman do a thing when she says she won't That's what a man can't do, do, do, do That's what a man can't do When you see the parson on your wedding day, He says you must get your wife to honour and obey That's all right for him to say - but - That's what a man can't do, do, do, do That's what a man can't do A woman does a lot of things for matrimonial bliss, Things that a man can't do She can square the tallyman by giving him a kiss, That's what a man can't do When the kids begin to cry it makes the father wild He gets the feeding bottle tries to pacify the child The woman picks the baby up, but doesn't stop to think, She knows exactly what to do when baby wants a drink That's what a man can't do, do, do, do That's what a man can't do Woman with a figure and a lovely face As an artist's model she can always get a place Pose as Venus full of grace That's what a man can't do, do, do, do That's what a man can't do A woman she can do her golden hair up in a bun That's what a man can't do A woman can declare that she's the mother of a son That's what a man can't do A woman is very smart when there's a mystery about She'll try to keep a secret, but she can't she lets it out She can tell you what's inside a sack of coal But cannot tell you what's inside a penny sausage roll That's what a man can't do, do, do, do That's what a man can't do He can do a lot of funny things I'm sure Stop a parrot talking if he throws it to the floor But to stop a woman's jaw - That's what a man can't do, do, do, do That's what a man can't do To stop a woman going down your pocket for your purse That's what a man can't do A woman can always get a job as monthly nurse That's what a man can't do Always let the woman do the shopping if you can, She can do it cheaper than the silly little man A woman's only got to show a little bit of lace, To make a lot of Johnnies follow her about the place. That's what a man can't do, do, do, do That's what a man can't do A fellow goes to work he is the poor old Jay Goes without breakfast he hasn't time to stay His wife lies in bed all day - That's what a man can't do, do, do, do That's what a man can't do
A song sung in the Halls by the comedian Joe Archer, though it was also recorded by the well-known music hall star Whit Cunliffe. In 1908 the publishers Feldman’s advertised it as a “pantomime song, ” but it appears to have been circulating somewhat earlier than this. Library catalogues suggest it was published in 1906, and there are a number of references to amateur performances of the song between 1906 and the First World War.
It was remembered by the late Seamus O’Donnell who is shown singing it here:
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%3A37493
- Kilgarrif Sing Us
- Lyrics and sheet music: Weekly Dispatch (London), 02 February 1908, p15
- Sheet Music (not accessed): Worldcat