LLoyd George

Lyrics

1
Well Ah'd walk from 'ere to Skipton,
Ten mile o' clarty lane, (clarty=muddy)
If Ah could see 'im face to face
Ah'd thank 'im for 'is pain.

Chorus
Cos 'E took me out o' t' work'ouse
An' 'e gives me life that's free,
Five shillin' a week for cheatin' death,
That's what Lloyd George gives me.

2
Well 'e gives me leet an' firin' (=lighting and heating costs)
An' flour to bake me bread
An' tea to mash me every meal
An' sup until Ah'm dead,
An' Ah've nowt to do but thank 'im
An' mek a cross wi' t' pen,
Five shillin' a week for nowt but that,
Aye, 'e's the best of men.

3
Well Ah don't know much about politics,
But Ah do love that lord,
For 'e spends 'is money like a king
When other folks is lowered,
An' Ah know lots of owd fellers
Who are past their seventieth year,
Lloyd George 'e addles brass for them
To buy a sup o' beer.

4
Well if my owd man were 'ere today
'E'd say that Ah spock true,
Though 'e never liked them Liberal lot
An' 'e allus voted blue.
But parson's wife she telt me
That soon we're goin' to t' poll;
Well Ah 'ope she's reet, Ah'll vote for 'im
With all me 'eart an' soul.

5
Well Ah don't know where 'e comes from
'Appen it's down Leeds way,
But every neet an' mornin'
For 'is long life Ah'll pray.
'Cos 'e took me etc…

Recorded by Steve Gardham for TYGG at 'Not the White Horse' Folk Club, Beverley, 12th November, 2007

This is a contemporary song about Yorkshire.

Provenance

Originally a poem titled Lord George, another from the pen of F W Moorman (See TYG70), this song was derived from the singing of Walter Greaves of Keighley in the 1960s. Richard derived this version from the singing of the late Tony Capstick of Barnsley. Moorman wrote his poem in strong West Riding dialect soon after Lloyd George introduced the Old Age Pension in 1908. The original was first published in his Songs of the Ridings, 1918. The revival singers of the 60s were at first unaware that the song was from the same pen as the author of The Dalesman's Litany. It was Richard and his wife Jean who, having been involved in a local history book which included reminiscences on Moorman, gave us the background to Moorman's songs.