by Cliff Gerrard
John Howarth Speech; Gerry Kearns Guitar; Larry Kearns Mandolin.
Thowd Street were I were brought up ’t’s comin’ down,
An’ t’house I lived in, crumblin’,
Lintles sag as if they frown,
That sill where father sharpened knives is cracked,
An’ yon step as gleamed with donkey stone, with mill dew is attacked.
They’r smashing up old memories it seems,
And through what used to be our roof, are just blowing childhood dreams.
Blank windows stare as if in mute protest
That mam won’t stand on’t stool again and clean ‘em with dad’s vest.
Is that the same window were I once looked down,
And cheered them hunger marchers, on their track to London town.
Could that be the same front door I thumped like mad And yelled through h’iron letter box “School board man’s coming dad”
There’s th’ rusty nail where th’ old tin-bath ounce swung.
An’ thook in th’wall were cloth’s line went and nappies always hung
Can that be the sound of Mrs Dunn’s voice I hear,
Chastising husband Jimmy, sleeping off his Sunday beer,
Or were it simply th’ wind having a sigh,
As if it could be mournin’, for a house about to die.
Thowd Street were I were brought up ’t’s comin’ down,
An’ t’house I lived in, crumblin’,
Lintles sag as if they frown,
That sill where father sharpened knives is cracked,
An’ yon step as gleamed with donkey stone, with mill dew is attacked.
They’r smashing up old memories it seems,
And through what used to be our roof, are just blowing childhood dreams.
Blank windows stare as if in mute protest
That mam won’t stand on’t stool again and clean ‘em with dad’s vest.
Is that the same window were I once looked down,
And cheered them hunger marchers, on their track to London town.
Could that be the same front door I thumped like mad And yelled through h’iron letter box “School board man’s coming dad”
There’s th’ rusty nail where th’ old tin-bath ounce swung.
An’ thook in th’wall were cloth’s line went and nappies always hung
Can that be the sound of Mrs Dunn’s voice I hear,
Chastising husband Jimmy, sleeping off his Sunday beer,
Or were it simply th’ wind having a sigh,
As if it could be mournin’, for a house about to die.
Eawr House — As Was
John Howarth Speech; Gerry Kearns Guitar; Larry Kearns Mandolin.
Everybody who was lucky enough to have a happy childhood, rich or poor, has precious memories of his home. The Oldham Tinkers went back to the house were Gerry and Larry lived as children and nostalgia ruled the day as they stood on the demolished site. Cliff Gerrard has obviously not only had this experience but is able to put his sentiments into verse. After asking Cliff’s permission to record the poem, John and Gerry suggested ‘The Old House’ be used as background music.
By coincidence ‘The Old House’ is Cliff Gerrard’s favourite song.
John Howarth Speech; Gerry Kearns Guitar; Larry Kearns Mandolin.
Everybody who was lucky enough to have a happy childhood, rich or poor, has precious memories of his home. The Oldham Tinkers went back to the house were Gerry and Larry lived as children and nostalgia ruled the day as they stood on the demolished site. Cliff Gerrard has obviously not only had this experience but is able to put his sentiments into verse. After asking Cliff’s permission to record the poem, John and Gerry suggested ‘The Old House’ be used as background music.
By coincidence ‘The Old House’ is Cliff Gerrard’s favourite song.
Eawr House-As Was
John Howarth Speech; Gerry Kearns Guitar; Larry Kearns Mandolin.
That Lancashire Band 12TS399 stereo
The Oldham Tinkers
First published by TOPIC 1979
Produced by Tony Russell
Recorded by John Brierley, Cargo Recording Studio, Rochdale, April 1979
Notes by Larry Kearns
Released under licence from Topic Records Ltd, England
That Lancashire Band PIERCD 504
Re issued in 2000 by Pier Records
Pier Records is a Wooden Hill Recordings Ltd Label
John Howarth Speech; Gerry Kearns Guitar; Larry Kearns Mandolin.
That Lancashire Band 12TS399 stereo
The Oldham Tinkers
First published by TOPIC 1979
Produced by Tony Russell
Recorded by John Brierley, Cargo Recording Studio, Rochdale, April 1979
Notes by Larry Kearns
Released under licence from Topic Records Ltd, England
That Lancashire Band PIERCD 504
Re issued in 2000 by Pier Records
Pier Records is a Wooden Hill Recordings Ltd Label