Lyr Req: Happy Sam (Dave Hillery / John Hartley)

Subject: Happy Sam
From: bradfordian
Date: 11 Oct 01 - 06:31 PM

Maybe I'm not trying hard enough, but can't find the lyrics to a song which I believe is called HAPPY SAM. it's the type of song that you would have thought would be in the DT and it's a catchy number. The chorus contains the phrase "Oh, my name is Happy Sam......." and ends "I'm a member of the multitude of labour". Can anyone help out? Cheers.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Happy Sam
From: Crane Driver
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 01:23 PM

Happy Sam (or, The Multitude who Labour) is on an old vinyl from the Topic label, "Transpennine" by Harry Boardman and Dave Hillery (12TS215). Much of Topic's back catalogue of Folk has been reissued on CD, but I don't know if this one has. The notes say that the words were from the 1909 edition of "The Original Illuminated Clock Almanack" edited by John Hartley, a prolific Yorkshire dialect writer. Dave Hillery supplied the tune. I may post the words if I can remember how to play vinyl.

Subject: Lyr Add: HAPPY SAM or THE MULTITUDE WHO LABOUR
From: Crane Driver
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 07:56 PM

Well, here goes. (Ain't I good to you?)

Please bear in mind that I'm not a Yorkshiremun, so this is my best shot. In a few places I've no idea what he's singing, and there's probably some ludicrous mondegreens (qv) elsewhere, but you'll get the idea.

HAPPY SAM or THE MULTITUDE WHO LABOUR

Oh good neet friends one and all
Ah just thowt Ah'd make a call
For Ah love to see a crowd of happy faces
An' sin' last Ah here have bin
Mony strange things Ah hve sin,
For Ah shoved me nose into all sorts of places

{Chorus}
And Ah cry a bit for care
Rough and ready though me fare
And Ah try and do me duty to me neighbour
Do you wonder who Ah am,
Why me name is Happy Sam
Ah'm a member of the multitude who labour

Ah've seen rich folk wastin' brass
An' despising working class
Never thinking that they owe to us their riches
And ah've seen loud-talking men
Always boasting of their sen
When Ah've known their wives at home were wearing britches

{Chorus}

For there's mony an honest chap
Though he hasn't got a wrap
Nor a decent suit of clothes to keep him warm in
Aye and mony a knave well dressed
Wi' a black heart in his breast
But I treats such-like as better sort of vermin

{Chorus}

And there's working folk a lot
Who can boast a cosy cott
Wi' a buxom wife and childer strong an' hearty
Who can smoke their pipe at neet
Wi' warm slippers at their feet
An' enough to eat and wear Sunday and [workday?]

{Chorus}

Ah've seen better times and warse
Ah've had money in me purse
And Ah've known whats bin to have me belly empty
Well ah've allus met a friend
Who would either give or lend
And Ah've ne'er refused to help one when Ah've plenty

{Chorus}

Never look for upper ten (?)
If you cannot help yoursen
Unless you've practiced bowing low and fawning
Working chaps take my advice
Stick together like a vice
And you'll find a breet today'll soon be dawning

{Chorus to finish}

(Sounds like an early Mudcatter)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Happy Sam
From: bradfordian
Date: 13 Oct 01 - 10:45 AM

Yes, Crane driver, you is very to me. Thanks for the speedy response and the additional info, and 10 out of 10 for the transcription. As a teacher, I feel privelidged to be taught. Cheers

Subject: lyr Add: HAPPY SAM (Dave Hillery / John Hartley)
From: Amos
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 09:15 PM

Happy Sam

    * (Dave Hillery / John Hartley)

      Chorus:
      And Ah cry a fig for care
      Rough and ready though me fare
      And Ah try to do me duty to me neighbour
      Do you wonder who I am
      Me name is happy Sam
      Ah'm a member of the multitude of labour

      Oh good neet friends one and all
      Ah just thowt Ah'd mek a call
      For Ah love to see a crowd of 'appy faces
      And sin' last time here Ah've bin
      Many strange things have Ah sin
      For Ah shove me nose into all sorts of places

      Ah've seen rich fowk wastin' brass
      And despisin' t' workin' class
      Never thinking that they owe to us their riches
      An' Ah've seen loud-talkin' men
      Allus boastin of their sen
      An' Ah've known the wives o't yon were wearin't' britches

      Oh there's many an honest chap
      Though 'e hasn't got a rap
      Nor a decent suit o' clothes to keep 'im warm in
      Aye and many a knave well dressed
      Wi' a black heart in his breast
      But Ah treat such like as better sort of varmin

      An' there's workin fowk a lot
      Who can boast a cosy cot
      Wi' a buxom wife and childer strong and 'earty
      Who can smoke their pipe at neet
      Wi' warm slippers at their feet
      And enough to eat and wear Sunday and workday

      Ah've seen better times and worse
      An' Ah've 'ad money in me purse
      And Ah've known what's bin to have me belly empty
      But Ah've allus met a friend
      Who would either give or lend
      And Ah've ne'er refused to help folk when Ah'd plenty

      Nivver look to't upper ten
      If you cannot help yoursen
      Unless you practice bowing low and fawning
      Workin' chaps get my advice
      Stick together like a vice
      And you'll find a breeter day will soon be dawnin'

      As sung by Dave Hillery

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Happy Sam (Dave Hillery / John Hartley)
From: bradfordian
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 06:24 PM

Bah gum, Amos lad. Tha's well up t' speed in northern English dialect!
Gradely, lad, gradely.

Bradfordian

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Happy Sam (Dave Hillery / John Hartley)
From: mikesamwild
Date: 06 Jan 11 - 03:08 PM

Any author known?