Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad (not Gilbert & Sullivan)

Subject: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Nov 09 - 03:06 PM

I came across these lyrics at http://www.belfastforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=4049.154, while I was looking for information on When I Were a Lad. This one of those 97 Irish Pub Songs songs, but I suppose somebody might want it sometime. My Internet is crippled right now so I can't watch YouTube videos very easily, but there's a Liverpool version by John Dolan of this song at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twleiBxzbG0.
There's also a YouTube recording by Barnbrack here (click). I made some corrections to the text below, based on the Barnbrack recording. There's also a Frank McCaffrey recording, and one from somebody named Farmer Dan . Anybody want to transcribe the Liverpool lyrics? Anybody know who the songwriter was?

WHEN I WAS A LAD
songwriter: ??

Rows of back to back houses, covered in smoke and grime
Children skipping in the street, and washing on the line
A scarf tucked down your jersey, to keep you from the cold
I wore a woolly balaclava when I was nine years old

Chorus
When I was a lad, neighbours were neighbours
When I was a lad, doing you favours
People giving people a hand, no matter how small
When I was a lad, dolly (?) mixtures
When I was a lad, Saturday pictures
When I was a lad, those were the greatest days of all

School from Monday to Friday, I learned to read and write
Grandad sitting on the doorstep in the fading light
Tin bath hanging from a six-inch nail, lino on the floor
Lavatory out in the back-yard, sit with your foot against the door
Chorus

Times were hard in winter, but mother kept us fed
All night huddled round the fireside, overcoats on the bed
We were a great big family, we all slept head to toe
In a big brass bed up in the backroom, and it seems so long ago
Chorus


Is there more? Corrections? The only thing that I'm unsure about is "dolly mixtures." What's that?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad
From: GUEST,slowerairs
Date: 06 Nov 09 - 06:27 PM

Dolly mixtures are small sweets usually bought by children

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When I Was a Lad
From: Bill H //\\
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 05:20 PM

I gues you did not mean the wonderful patter song from W S Gilbert---When I Was A Lad---from HMS Pinafore.

Bill Hahn

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN I WAS A LAD (LIVERPOOL VERSION)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 11:01 AM

Here's my transcription from the YouTube video. There are still a few gaps indicated by "...". I have "wikified" the terms that I thought could use some explanation.

WHEN I WAS A LAD (LIVERPOOL VERSION)

1. Sittin' in the parlor ... listnin' to the ... sing,
Watchin' me mam on the piano. Boy could she make it ring!
Goin' on the ferry 'cross the Mersey on the deck of the Daffodil,
The Dodgems in New Brighton, it was such a thrill.

CHORUS: When I was a lad, neighbors were neighbors.
When I was a lad, we did each other favors.
Everybody's front door was open; you didn't need a key.
When I was a lad, you could come to our house.
When I was a lad, have a pan of our scouse.
We didn't have much but we were as happy as can be.

2. Goin' for a week down in Butlin's, the ... by the sea
We'd torment the ... of the redcoats, all me mates and me
Ev'ry day in summer was a warm one, off for a paddle or a swim,
Stay out in the fading light till me mam would call us in.

3. Go on with me now to Paddy's Market, buyin' some tripe for tea
Then back for ... on the wireless, sittin' on me granddad's knee.
Goin' to the flicks Sat'd'y mornin', Flash Gordon on the screen.
Getting chucked off the bus by the conductor, and me mam sayin' "Where've you been?"

4. Things aren't quite the same now for most the folks you meet.
Kids would rather play on the computer than ride a bike in the street,
But I still love this city, and the people too.
My heart belongs to Liverpool 'cause that's the place I grew.

AFTER LAST CHORUS:
When I was a lad in Liverpool, that was the place to be,
When I was a lad.