Also known as The Charlady’s Son and John rather mischievously says, “Here’s one I learnt from Mike Waterson. I’ve tried using this as a bedtime song for the kids but it seems a bit wrong somehow!” Bert Lloyd refers to this on the sleeve notes of Mike’s album as being a marriage of two songs, a music hall number from the 1860s and a rather older folk song sometime’s known as Rocking A Baby That’s None Of My Own. You can read those notes here at Mainly Norfolk and may also want to check out Mudcat, where you’ll also find this link through to a Bodleian library version that has that latter title’s cuckold’s lament. It’s somewhat more thoroughly tragic, almost epic in its misery while this is somewhat distilled perhaps as a singalong number.
You can buy the December digital album now from all good download stores.
Johnny Doherty’s version of this (as Old Man Rockin’ The Cradle) has been one of my favorites for quite some time. Nice to hear another recording.
I’ve just listened to this as the Hew Year begins – an old fsc fav of mine- lovely
I am not sure what to say about this song, it was not at all what I expected from the title. Still it has a charm of its’ own and was nicely sung.
Muzza I noticed your mis-spelling mistake of yesterday and if you are going to start that lark, I must rein you in, it too hard to take. Anyway do not mention rain, it lashed down yesterday and it has rained on and off for over a week here. Still preferable to the white stuff which is such a handicap.
A song with a difference, & very nicely sung, Jon.
Less a cuckold and more a hero in my eyes, the chap in the song is just a good bloke. I like to think those babies will remember and realise that when they’re grown up!
Cor Blimey Guvnor…….this touched a nerve and took me back to the eighties……
Just a piece of advice to you fellas out there:-
“Don’t let your wife join the works darts team!”…..
Look at that…AFSAD becomes an Agony Aunt column!
I have that effect on people… agony… hahahahahaha!
Well it does not appear that the weather has improved since this time last year. Nothing changes!
Still charming though – the song that is!
Absolutely one of my favourite songs for round a campfire late at night when most people have gone to bed, very glad to see there’s a version of Jon’s up here!