by Larry Kearns
Larry Kearns vocal; John Howarth whistle; Gerry Kearns guitar
That night I met my Elsie Bell by Daddy Longleg’s Bed.
My heart still cherished from the night before the words she’d said.
She’d said she loved me dearly and to me would cling for aye,
Like the crimson clouds to Winter Hill as the sun dipped in the sky.
She nineteen years, I twenty-one, had trod for just one year
The hills were o’ft, the curlew’s cry falls shrill upon the ear.
And many a tale I’d told my love as we’d strolled through Tandle Hills
And we’d often gazed at galaxies, of night-locked cotton mills.
That night as I approached my love with eager outstretched hand,
Her eye’s shone glazed and fathomless like any lake becalmed.
I asked her if she loved me, she n’er answered aye nor nay,
But raised her pretty head aloft, and unto me did say.
“My love for you was but a whim of childhood fancy free.
I’m much matured since yesterday, and now more clearly see.
My parents tell me that you’re not fit to share my bed.
So to a finer, richer man in Autumn I’ll be wed.”
In shock the slopes of Oldham Edge I started to descend.
My eyes brimful of salty tears my way to town I did wend.
What could I do to cure the grief; the pain in my heart to ease?
I went into a chip shop on Barker Street and had pudding, chips and peas.
That night I met my Elsie Bell by Daddy Longleg’s Bed.
My heart still cherished from the night before the words she’d said.
She’d said she loved me dearly and to me would cling for aye,
Like the crimson clouds to Winter Hill as the sun dipped in the sky.
She nineteen years, I twenty-one, had trod for just one year
The hills were o’ft, the curlew’s cry falls shrill upon the ear.
And many a tale I’d told my love as we’d strolled through Tandle Hills
And we’d often gazed at galaxies, of night-locked cotton mills.
That night as I approached my love with eager outstretched hand,
Her eye’s shone glazed and fathomless like any lake becalmed.
I asked her if she loved me, she n’er answered aye nor nay,
But raised her pretty head aloft, and unto me did say.
“My love for you was but a whim of childhood fancy free.
I’m much matured since yesterday, and now more clearly see.
My parents tell me that you’re not fit to share my bed.
So to a finer, richer man in Autumn I’ll be wed.”
In shock the slopes of Oldham Edge I started to descend.
My eyes brimful of salty tears my way to town I did wend.
What could I do to cure the grief; the pain in my heart to ease?
I went into a chip shop on Barker Street and had pudding, chips and peas.
Larry Kearns had heard and read so many songs, stories and poems about the sorry states in which the victims of unrequited love find themselves, of the often dire and dramatic action taken by such people and of the sad loneliness to which they succumb, that he decided to look at a doomed romance with reality. The places mentioned in the song are real and the chip shop in Barker Street with its little dining room at the back was a regular last stopping place, especially for the lads after a night out. Gerry added the tune to Larry’swords.
First published by Topic Records Ltd. In 1977
From the L.P. ‘Sit Thee Down’ 12Ts 323 STEREO
The Oldham Tinkers.
(John Howarth, Larry Kearns, Gerry Kearns)
Recorded and produced by Tony Engle in London January 1977
Notes by Larry Kearns
The Oldham Tinkers
Sit Thee Down PIERCD 505
Released under licence from Topic Records Ltd, England
(P) 1077 & 1968 (Tracks 15 – 18) Topic Records Ltd
© 2002 Pier Records
Pier Records is a Wooden Hill Recordings Ltd label.
From the L.P. ‘Sit Thee Down’ 12Ts 323 STEREO
The Oldham Tinkers.
(John Howarth, Larry Kearns, Gerry Kearns)
Recorded and produced by Tony Engle in London January 1977
Notes by Larry Kearns
The Oldham Tinkers
Sit Thee Down PIERCD 505
Released under licence from Topic Records Ltd, England
(P) 1077 & 1968 (Tracks 15 – 18) Topic Records Ltd
© 2002 Pier Records
Pier Records is a Wooden Hill Recordings Ltd label.