portrait of this blog's author - by Stephen Blackman 2008

Friday, May 31, 2024

The Liverpool Lullaby (Stan Kelly)

 

Two Bare footed kids outside a (Scottie Road) Scotland Road Pub, Liverpool, Merseyside, U.K. 

It is said I was once left outside a Liverpool pub in my pram by my maternal great grandfather while he went inside for a pint only to be torn into and given what for by my Maternal Grandmother (a tiny woman) he being an alcoholic he didn’t see the problem but she gave him hell! She hated drink the rest of her life and it worried her deeply. A.S.


Liverpool Lullaby


Oh you are a mucky kid, 
Dirty as a dustbin lid 
When he finds out the things you did 
You'll get a belt from your da 


Oh you have your father's nose 
So crimson in the dark, it glows 
If you're not asleep when the boozers close 
You'll get a belt from your da 

You look so scruffy lying there 
Strawberry jam tufts in your hair 
Though in the world you haven't a care 
And I have got so many 


It's quite a struggle everyday 
Living on your father's pay 
'cause the bugger drinks it all away 
And leaves me without any 

Although we have no silver spoon 
Better days are coming soon 
Now Nellie's working at the Lune 
And she gets paid on Friday 


Perhaps one day we'll have a bash 
When Little ones provide the cash 
We'll get a house in Knotty Ash 
And buy your dad a brewery 

Oh you are a mucky kid, 
Dirty as a dustbin lid 
When he finds out the things you did 
You'll get a belt from your da 


Oh you have your father's face 
You're growing up a real hard case 
But there's no one can take your place 
Go fast asleep for Mammy 


Stan Kelly


(For those who think it was an Irish folk song! (sic) Stan Kelly-Bootle (stage name Stan Kelly) was born Stanley Bootle in LiverpoolLancashire, on 15 September 1929. )


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