Jovial Huntsman as played by Joe Morley Russ Chandler 2025-08-11 | This is a very rare recording of the great banjo composer Joe Morley playing his own composition solo. Although he wrote hundreds of tunes and is recognised at the most important composer of classic banjo music he only ever recorded two sides on his own.The other is Donkey Laugh which can be found here: youtu.be/FUj8llKTjEsThe 78 is Homochord DD-903 and was recorded sometime before December 15 1925.
Donkey Laugh - a novelty banjo tune played by Joe Morley Russ Chandler 2025-08-11 | This is a very rare recording of the great banjo composer Joe Morley playing his own composition solo. Although he wrote hundreds of tunes and is recognised at the most important composer of classic banjo music he only ever recorded two sides on his own.The other is The Jovial Huntsman which can be found here: youtu.be/r_-k9665xwcThe 78 is Homochord DD-903 and was recorded sometime before December 15 1925.
You and a Canoe - an Edwardian banjo romance by Emile Grimshaw Russ Chandler 2025-07-19 | Accompanied by Charlotte Ridsale on piano.Performed at the Samuel Worth Chapel, Sheffield on the 18th June 2025.
The Jovial Huntsman - a classic banjo tune by Joe Morley Russ Chandler 2025-06-02 | A classic style banjo tune from the turn of the last century written by the great Joe Morley.
Jana Is Sixteen Russ Chandler 2024-04-18 | Jana Zakarneh was a sixteen year old young woman from the town of Jenin in the occupied West Bank. On the 11th December 2022 she went out late to find her cat and was murdered by the Israeli Defence Force.Robb Johnson wrote this song. Robb finished the song at my house after a visit involving lots of friends, drinks and cats. I felt privileged to have contributed at least a little to the inspiration for one of his songs, but unfortunately this one has a razor blade in the ice lolly and it's just too brutal for me to play out.You can find Robb at @TheRobbjohnson
Transatlantique Russ Chandler 2024-04-18 | Transatlantique is a banjo tune written by Tarrant Bailey Junior on the 12th August 1958.He dedicated it to the American Banjo Fraternity. They are still going and have a website here - banjofraternity.orgI was helped in the making of this video by Charlie the cat!
Christmas Banjo - Hark the Herald Angels Sing & Little Drummer Boy (featuring Charlie the Cat!) Russ Chandler 2023-12-22 | A medley of two Christmas carols played in the classic banjo style. Featuring Charlie the cat!The tunes were arranged by Clarke Buehling
Abide With Me played on classic banjo tremolo style Russ Chandler 2023-05-30 | Arranged by SE Turner, this was a celebrated version of the hymn tune in banjo circles prior to World War Two.This performance is by no means perfect, but I thought it was good enough to share and an interesting example of a tremolo technique that is very rarely heard today.It was filmed at the Clowne Banjo Rally on 20 May 2023 by Carrie Horgan who has her own channel here - youtube.com/@banjotracks1
Hold the Line plus anti-fascist chants at the Bookmarks Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration Russ Chandler 2023-02-20 | My performance of Pete Seeger's Hold the Line at the Fiftieth Anniversary celebration for Bookmarks held on 18 February 2023 in London.Bookmarks is a radical bookshop located in the heart of Bloomsbury in London's West End.On the platform are Roger Huddle (co founder of Rock Against Racism) Judy Cox, Hannah Lowe (author and poet), Jeremy Corbyn and Michael Rosen (author and former Children's Laureate).Filming by Dominic McGrathbookmarksbookshop.co.ukholdthelinepeekskill.com
Banjotown - classic banjo tune live Russ Chandler 2022-11-17 | The classic Joe Morley tune Banjotown played at the Greystones, Sheffield on 15 November 2022.
Banjo recording from 1899 - Old Folks At Home played by Clarke & Ray Russ Chandler 2022-10-14 | This is a rare Berliner 78 with a hand written label dated May 10th 1899.It was recorded in London. Clarke is Harry Clarke, a pioneering plectrum banjoist who played a banjo tuned eCDGA.
Pity the Downtrodden Landlord Russ Chandler 2021-11-07 | Written by B Woolf with a tune by Arnold Clayton and dedicated to my previous landlord, who having had more then £100K out of us over ten years and subsequently selling the property for more than half a million quid refused to give us the deposit back because they wanted us to pay for dry cleaning the curtains and rehanging the doors.Please open your hearts and your purses,To a man who is misunderstood.He gets all the kicks and the curses,Though he wishes you nothing but good.Well he wistfully begs you to show him,You think he's a friend, not a louse.So remember the debt that you owe him,The landlord who lends you his house.So pity the downtrodden landlord,And his back that is burdened and bent.Respect his grey hairs,Don't ask for repairs,And don't be behind with the rent!Now, you're able to work for a living,And rejoice in your strength and your skill,So try to be kind and forgiving,To a man whom a day's work would kill.You can work and still talk to your neighbors,You can look the whole world in the face.But the landlord who ventured to labor,Would never survive the disgrace.When thunder clouds gather and darken,You can sleep undisturbed in your bed;But the landlord must sit up and hearken,And shiver and wonder and dread;If you're killed, then you die in a hurry,And you never will know your bad luck,But the landlord is shaking with worry,"Has one of my houses been struck?"Now when a landlord resorts to eviction,Don't think that he does it for spite;He is acting from deepest conviction,And what's right, after all, is what's right.But I see that your hearts are all hardened,And I fear I'm appealing in vain;Yet I hope my last plea will be pardoned,If I beg on my knees once again.
COP26: Whats This? A song for the COP26 Coallitions Global Day of Action live in Sheffield Russ Chandler 2021-11-07 | Here's my COP26 song performed as part of the COP26 Coallition's Global Day of Action in Barkers Pool, Sheffield on Saturday November 6 2021.Find out more abut the song here - youtu.be/Cl5YroFK7Lg
Cop 26: Whats This? A song for the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice. Russ Chandler 2021-10-31 | World leaders will meet in Glasgow in November at the global climate talks, COP26. We are organising decentralised mass mobilisations across the world, bringing together movements to build power for system change – from indigenous struggles to trade unions, from racial justice groups to youth strikers.cop26coalition.orgCOP26, what’s this?COP26, what’s it gonna fix?COP26, just more politics And we’re running out of time.This flooding is brought to you by MicrosoftThis wildfire by Sainsbury's and our friends at SkyThis drought by Unilever and some others we forgotWe're saving the planetOne multinational at a time Your speech is sponsored by “blah, blah, blah”Your blind eye by corporate environmental crimeIt’s greenwash, we know what you areYou’re not saving the planetAnd were running out of time You've got the tarmac, but we've got the glueYou're stuck on the motorway, and we're stuck on it tooYou can stick your air source heat pump scheme, 'Cos that just will not doYou've got the tarmac, but we make the glue!Song by Steve White & Russ Chandler of Steve White & the Protest Familyprotestfamily.comVideo footage from pexels.com, thanks to all the creators.
BBC 4 Sessions - Martin Carthy & Friends Russ Chandler 2021-09-03 | Broadcast: Sat 4th Jan 2003, 21:00 on BBC FourThe venerated folk singer reunites with many of his collaborators for a concert at the Union Chapel in Islington, north London, featuring his daughter Eliza and wife Norma Carthy.
Palestine Russ Chandler 2021-06-05 | My banjo arrangment of the song Palestine by Jim Page.Find out more about Jim here - www.jimpage.netI’ll tell you a story, make it clear as I canAbout the far away troubles in the holy landPictures of the children etched in your mindLayin' down their bodies on the firing lineThe people who live there, they live under the gunWhere it was homeland for a thousand years before the soldiers comeSurrounded by the armies, airplanes in the skyEverybody knows someone who had to dieOh Palestine, there's a hole in your soulOh Palestine, will it ever be whole?Talk about the settlers, come from so far awayTalk about the money from the U.S.A.Talk about the bullets made of plastic and steelPictures of a Palestine underneath the Iron HeelWhat do you do when they come to your home?And they tell you your land is no longer your ownDo you let them take it, do you dare to resist?Pictures of a Palestine underneath the Iron FistYou say you want peace but you pay for subjugationYou talk about a settlement in terms of occupationYou call for human rights but Ye never say what kindYou can see what it's come to in the faces of PalestineDoes it ever make you think about the friends you endorse?The armies of the generals riding on an iron horseDoes it ever make you wonder why it always seems to beSuch an undemocratic version of democracy?Oh Palestine, there's a hole in your soulOh Palestine, will it ever be whole?Oh Palestine, there's a hole in your soulOh Palestine, let your story be told
A banjo Christmas Card! Jolly Old Christmas by Leslie Sarony Russ Chandler 2020-12-21 | Featuring Steve White & the Protest Family on "No!!".Jolly Old Christmas was written by Leslie Sarony and released in 1932.Russ Chandler Music - russchandlermusic.comSteve White & the Protest Family - protestfamily.comChristmas only comes along to see us once a yearSo we're feeling very gay and heartyEveryone is dressed up in their brand new Sunday gearAnd everybody has a little partyThe roads are full of mud and there is slush inside the yardThe only snow we ever see is on a Christmas cardIt's jolly old christmasLook at old father, got a cigar onIt's jolly old christmasEveryone's happy singing all the latest songsWe all pull our bonbonsNothing but junk inside themIt's jolly old christmasAll get a motto, everyone's blottoIt's jolly old christmasEveryone's full of ginger beer and monkey nutsIt's jolly old christmasLook at old mother, stuffing the turkeyIt's jolly old christmasLook at the kids smile when they see the Christmas pudAnd on father's whiskersSomeone has tied a crackerIt's jolly old christmasLook it's so pleasant, all get a presentIt's jolly old christmasAll that Pa gets is a lousy pair of socksJolly old Christmas, four more weeks and our income tax is due!But are we downhearted? No!What did Gladstone say in 1442?Drink and be merry, for the next ten years will be the worst!It's jolly old christmasThere's sister Mary dressed like a fairyIt's jolly old christmasGranny is laughing although she hasn't many teeth.We all drink old Jims healthHe comes out of quad at easterIt's jolly old christmasWear hats with bobs on, blooming great knobs onIt's jolly old christmasOh we stuff ourselves until we nearly bustIt's jolly old christmasLook at our Nelly, she's full of jellyIt's jolly old christmasOh you'd think that we were blooming millionairesThey've got paper hats onFathers a blooming GeneralIt's jolly old christmasLook at poor Molly, she's sat on some hollyIt's jolly old christmasWe won't have a blooming sausage when it's done
Syncopatin Shuffle - A radio documentary about the banjo. Russ Chandler 2020-12-19 | Syncopatin' Shuffle is a BBC Radio documentary about the banjo, presented by Julian Vincent.It was broadcast on the 29th January 2007.I do not own the copyright to the audio or any of the images used.russchandlermusic.com
Theyre Beginning to Notice Me! - A Victorian music hall song with banjo accompaniment. Russ Chandler 2020-12-14 | They're Beginning to Notice Me is a Music Hall song written by Murray and Leigh in 1899 and sung by George "Prime Minister of Mirth" Robey.The banjo part is from the song as it appered in Sheards 7th Banjo Album which you can download here: classic-banjo.com/files/JOURNALS_AND_ALBUMS/Sheards_Banjo_Annual_No_07.pdfLyrics: 1. I never care to mingle with the vulgar thong, not me!By nature I’m intended for refined societyI make a point of dressing in the latest style you knowAnd ramble through those places where the titled people go.Chorus:They're beginning to notice me! They're beginning to notice me! I raised my hat to the Duke today, His grace was looking the opposite way,So I sauntered across to the Marquis, a very old friend you see,He have me the end of his cigar!They're beginning to notice me!2. I'm awfully fond of ballet girls! I think they're Bally fine ! They've got some up in town just now, I wish each one was mine.Each night I go to watch them from my own particular stall; But, ah! I fear my fatal features fascinate them all. Chorus:They're beginning to notice me! They're beginning to notice me! They come on the stage and at me they point, And say to each other, "Ah, that's the joint!” And when I go round to the stage-door they're as nice as they can be.They borrow my bobs and half-a- crowns! They're beginning to notice me! 3. You all know Lady Tiptop's house; I'm often there to dine. The housemaid and the cook, you see, are dear old friends of mine. Before they took to feeding me, my ribs were sticking out. They hardly knew when I was there; but now I've grown so stout. For…Chorus:They're beginning to notice me! They're beginning to notice me! My clothes were awfully loose at first; But the seams have lately begun to burst. The cook and Matilda, the housemaid , they giggle and laugh with glee. They've kindly offered to patch me up! They're beginning to notice me! 4. I've tried to clear our yard of cats, but, hang me, if I can! Though lately I've been working on a somewhat novel plan. Concealed within the fowl-house, I've been waiting every night; But somehow both the husband birds, they hardly think it right! Chorus:They're beginning to notice me! They're beginning to notice me! Their glances go through me like daggers and knives; They think I've designs on their various wives. And the way they look at the ladies, well, it’s, perfectly plain to see I've sort of upset their domestic peace! They're beginning to notice me !
Dont mess with Banjo... Russ Chandler 2020-10-10 | A clip from the 1969 movie Sabata starring Lee Van Cleef and William Berger.This channel and I do not claim any right over any of the graphics, images, songs used in this video. All rights reserved to the respective copyright owners.
A Statue of Boris Johnson Russ Chandler 2020-09-24 | A song by Steve White sung at the Watham Forest Stand Up To Racism Refugee solidarity day of action Saturday September 19 2020.
The Labouring Man - traditional folk song played on banjo. Russ Chandler 2020-08-30 | My banjo arrangment of a traditional English song I heard on a Critics Group album. The song dates from around the time of the Napoleonic Wars but it's central message hasn't aged a day. You can read more about the song here - mainlynorfolk.info/folk/songs/thelabouringman.html You Englishmen of each degree,A moment listen unto me:From day to day you all may seeThe poor are frowned on by degree.To please you all I do intend,So listen to the lines I've penned;By them, you know who never canDo without the labouring man.In former days, you all must know,The poor man cheerful used to go.Quite clean and neat, upon my life,With his children and his darling wife.And for his labour it was said,A fair day's wages he was paid.But now to live he hardly can—May God protect the labouring man.There is one thing we must confess,When England find they're in a mess,And has to face the daring foe,Unto the labouring men they goTo fight their battles, understand,Either on sea or on the land;Deny the truth we never can,They call upon the labouring man.Some for soldiers they will go,And jolly sailors do we know,To guard Old England day and night,And for their country boldly fight.But when they do return againThey're looked upon with great disdain;Now in distress throughout the landYou may behold the labouring man.When Bonaparte and Nelson too,And Wellington at Waterloo.Were fighting both by land and sea,The poor man gained these victories!Their hearts are cast in honour's mould,The sailors and the soldiers bold.And every battle, understandWas conquered by the labouring man.The labouring man will plough the deep,Till the ground and sow the wheat,Fight the battles when afar,Fear no dangers or a scar;But still they're looked upon like thievesBy them who bide at home at ease,And everyday throughout the landThey try to starve the labouring man.7. Now if wars should rise again,And England be in want of menThey'll have to search the country roundTo find the lads that plough the ground,Then to some foreign land they'll goTo fight and dub the daring foe;Do what they will, do what they can,They can't do without the labouring man.
When the Old Dun Cow Caught Fire Russ Chandler 2020-08-28 | When the Old Dun Cow Caught Fire is a music hall song written by Harry Wincott in 1893, and is most associated with Harry Champion. It's also become a real folk club Standard.Some pals and I in a public houseWas playing dominoes one nightWhen all of a sudden in the potman runsWith a face all chalky white'What's up?' said Jones 'Why you silly old fool,Or have you seen old Aunt Mariah?''Me Aunt be buggered,' then the potman cried'The bleeding pubs on fire.''On fire!' said Brown, 'What a bit of luck!Come along with me ' shouts he.'Down in the cellar, if the fire ain't there,We'll have a fair old spree.'So we all goes down 'long with good old BrownThe booze we couldn't miss,And we hadn't been there ten minutes or moreWhen we was just like this.And there was Brown, upside downLicking up the whiskey off the floor'Booze, Booze, ' then the firemen criedAs they came knocking at the door'Don't let 'em in till it's all mopped up'Someone said to MackintyreSo we all got blue blind, paralytic drunkWhen the old Dun Cow caught fire.Old Johnson flew to a port wine tubAnd he gave it just a few hard knocksHe then starts taking off his pantaloonsLikewise his shoes and socks'Hold hard' said Brown, 'If you want to wash your feetThere's a barrel full of four ale hereDon't put your trotters in the port wine JackWhen there's more old stale beer'Just then there was such a dreadful crashHalf the bloody roof gave wayWe were almost drowned with a fireman's hoseBut still we were all gay.For we found some sacks, and some old tin tacksShoved ourselves insideAnd we sat there getting bleary-eyed drunkWhen the old Dun Cow caught fireAt last the fireman got insideAnd found us all dead drunkBut like true heroes there they stoodThey did not do a bunkThey saw the booze upon the floorAnd gave a sudden yellThey took their helmets off and thenUpon their knees they fell.'At last! At last!' the firemen cried'At last we know the news''Come on! Come on! ' us lads all cried'Come on and have a booze.'
John Foreman - The Ouses In Between Full LP Russ Chandler 2020-06-06 | A very rare studio recording of music hall historian John Foreman.Released by Reality records in 1966. Track Listing:The Four-oss Sharrybang If It wasn't For The 'Ouses In Between Your Baby 'As Gorn Dahn The Plug 'Ole Married To A Mermaid Pretty Polly Perkins Don't Go Down The Mine, Dad The Hob-Nailed Boots That Father Wore I Live In Trafalgar Square Down The Road If Those Lips Could Only Speak The Amateur Whitewasher Villikins And His Dinah The Winkle Song Captain Ginjah, O.T.
Maggie Jane as sung by Florrie Forde Russ Chandler 2020-05-17 | My arrangment of Maggie Jane as sung by Florrie Forde (1876–1940).It was written hy Maurice Scott and Fred Godfrey and I heard it on an Imperial 78 recoreded in March 1931.It's a pretty slight song but has a chorus that's as infectious as coronavirus.But here's a question - what's it about? Is Maggie pretending to be going out on the razzle? Or is she actually going out on the pull but not very good at it?Let me know what you think in the comments. In the boarding house that’s kept by Missus PayneThere lives little Maggie JaneShe’s so shy, she’s so goodNever had a kissShe came home late the other nightThe boarders shouted this...Maggie JaneYou’ve been at it againMaggie JaneYou’ve been at it againDown in the town the other morningYou took the gypsy’s warningMaggie JaneCourting isn’t your gameWhat were you doing in lover’s lane?You try to tell us that you’d kissed yourself goodnightMaggie Jane you’ve been at it again!All the boarders cry to little Maggie JaneTell us, what’s the heroes name?Did he hug, did he squeeze?Kiss you I suppose?He’s greedy cos he’s even kissedThe powder off your nose!
Jazzbos Holiday by Tarrant Bailey Junior Russ Chandler 2020-04-18 | A splendid piece of English ragtime written by Tarrant Bailey Junior in 1927.Played by Russ Chandler (banjo) and Simon Armstrong (guitar).russchandlermusic.com
Changes by Alan Price arranged for banjo Russ Chandler 2020-03-15 | This is my arrangment of the song "Changes" written by Alan Price as part of the sountrack to the 1973 movie "O Lucky Man!" directed by Lindsey Anderson and starring Malcolm McDowell.It's set to the old Salvation Army tune "What A Friend We Have In Jesus".Everyone is going through changesNo one knows what's going onAnd everybody changes placesBut the world still carries onLove must always change to sorrowAnd everyone must play the gameHere today and gone tomorrowBut the world goes on the same
Round and Round the Picket Line by Hilda Sims and the City Ramblers Russ Chandler 2020-03-10 | From a Topic 78rpm record TRC. 101.The Ramblers were: Russell Quaye, Shirley Bland, Eric Bunyan, Vic Pitt, Bobby Taylor and Jimmie McGregor . Released May, 1956.
The Man That Waters The Workers Beer sung by Paddy Ryan Russ Chandler 2020-02-29 | The first Topic record, TRC1, released in 1939.Performed by Paddy Ryan of Unity TheatreI am the man, the very fat manThat waters the workers' beerI am the man, the very fat manThat waters the workers' beerAnd what do I care if it makes them illIf it makes them terribly queerI've a car, a yacht, and an aeroplane,And I waters the workers' beer.Now when I waters the workers' beerI puts in strychnineSome methylated spiritsAnd a can of keroseneAh, but such a brew so terribly strongIt would make them terribly queerSo I reaches my hand for the watering-canAnd I waters the workers' beer!Now a drop of good beer is good for a manWhen he's tired, thirsty and hotAnd I sometimes have a drop myselfFrom a very special potFor a strong and healthy working classIs the thing that I most fearSo I reaches my hand for the watering-canAnd I waters the workers' beer!Now ladies fair, beyond compareBe you maiden or wifeSpare a thought for such a manWho leads such a lonely lifeFor the water rates are frightfully high,And the meths is terribly dearAnd there ain't the profit there used to beIn watering the workers' beer!
A banjo carol - God Rest You Merry Gentlemen Russ Chandler 2019-12-24 | An arrangment of God Rest You Merry Gentlemen by David Miles MBE.
Russ Chandler - Old Blue Russ Chandler 2019-11-16 | Just a bit of fun.Me playing something like Clifton Hicks version of Old Blue. It's an old song but I added a verse of my own at the end.
Erika Kulnys sings Raven Russ Chandler 2019-09-30 | Erika Kulnys sings Raven by Marca Cassity at Walthamstow Folk Club Spetember 29 2019.
Russ Chandler - For No One by The Beatles Russ Chandler 2018-11-10 | My arrangement of The Beatles For No One, from the album Revolver.russchandlermusic.com
Musical Dawsons Famous Choir of Canaries - Loves Old Sweet Song Russ Chandler 2018-11-09 | A novelty 78 record from 1933.REX 8066-A
Two Norfolk Singers: Harry Cox & Sam Larner Russ Chandler 2018-05-16 | Interviewed by Charles Parker at their homes in 1962.From the Pete Kennedy collection.Copyright remains with the original holders.
Zog nit keyn mol (The Partisans Song) by Russ Chandler ft. Rachel Weston Russ Chandler 2018-04-01 | From the album "On The Roof Of Your House, All Alone" to be released on 1st May 2018.Written in the Vilna ghetto by Hirsh Glick it was the experience of hearing this song sung by a group of Jewish socialists led by David Rosenberg over one of the ruined Crematoria at Auschwitz which inspired me to try putting it on banjo. David and I changed the words very slightly and Rachel Weston is the featured singer.Music © Russ Chandler. Copyright for images remains with their owners.Never say the final journey is at handNever say we can't live equal in this land,The longed-for hour shall come, oh never fear!Our tread drums forth the tidings - we are here!From land of palm-tree to the far-off land of snow,We shall be coming with our torment and our woe.And everywhere our blood has sunk into the earth,Shall our bravery, our vigor blossom forth!We’ll have the morning sun to set our day aglow,And all our yesterdays shall vanish with the foe,And if the time is long before the sun appears,Then let this song go like a signal through the years.This song was written with our blood and not with lead;It’s not a song that birds sing overhead,It was a people, among toppling barricades,That sang this song of ours with pistols and grenades.So never say that there is only death for you.Leaden skies may be concealing days of blue -Because the hour we have hungered for is near;Beneath our tread the earth shall tremble: We are here!
A Christmas Message from Walthamstow Folk Club..! Russ Chandler 2017-12-25 | A folkie seasonal from Walthamstow Folk Club greeting courtesy of the guys at Mystery Science Theatre 3000.
Aint It Grand To Be Bloomin Well Dead? Russ Chandler 2017-12-24 | Written by Leslie SaronyArranged and performed by Russ Chandlerrusschandlermusic.comLately there's nothing but trouble, grief and strife There's not much attraction about this bloomin' life Last night I dreamt I was bloomin' well dead As I went to the funeral, I bloomin' well said, Look at the flowers, bloomin' great orchids Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead! And look at the corfin, bloomin' great 'andles Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead! I was so 'appy to think that I'd popped off I said to a bloke with a nasty, 'acking cough Look at the black 'earse, bloomin' great 'orses Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead! Look at the bearers, all in their frock coats Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead! And look at their top 'ats, polished with Guinness Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead! Some people there were praying for me soul I said, "It's the first time I've been off the dole" Look at the mourners, bloomin' well sozzled Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead! Look at the children, bloomin' excited Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead! Look at the neighbours, bloomin' delighted Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead! "Spend the insurance", I murmered, "For alack, You know I shan't be with you going back" Look at the Missus, bloomin' well laughing Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead! Look at me Sister, bloomin new hat on Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead! And look at me Brother, bloomin' cigar on Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead! We come from clay and we all go back they say Don't 'eave a brick it may be your Aunty May Look at me Grandma, bloomin' great haybag Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead! Look at the florists, counting their profits Ain't it grand, to be blooming well dead! Look at the lawyer, reading the will out Ain't it grand, to be blooming well dead! Taxes and rents I'll have no need to pay I dodged them by blooming well snuffing it, hooray! Look at the landlord, Blooming old Shylock Ain't it grand, to be blooming well dead! Look at me schoolmates, blooming well giggling Ain't it grand, to be blooming well dead! Look at the earthworms, blooming well wriggling Ain't it grand, to be blooming well dead! All my old chinas, I saw them standing round I said as they slowly lowered me in the ground Look at the tombstone, granite with knobs on Ain't it grand, to be blooming well dead! Now its all over, look at them scarpering Ain't it grand, to be blooming well dead! Look at the weather, blooming well raining Ain't it grand, to be blooming well dead! Then I awoke with a really shocking start I found me in bed, with the missus on me arm I got the milk in, baby was screaming Ain't it grand, to be blooming well dead!
Nobody Knew She Was There Russ Chandler 2017-12-24 | A song by Ewan MacColl, arranged and performed by Russ Chandler.russchandlermusic.comShe walks in the cold dark hour before the morning The hour when wounded night begins to bleed Stands at the back of the patient queue The silent almost sleeping queue Seeing no-one and not being seen Working shoes are wrapped in working apron Rolled in an oilcloth bag across her knees The swaying tram assaults the morning Blue grey steely day is dawning Draining the last few dregs of sleep away Over the bridge and the writhing foul black water Down through empty corridors of stone Each of the blind glass walls she passes Shows her twin in sudden flashes Which is the mirror image, which is real? Crouching hooded gods of word and number Accept her bent-backed homage as their due The buckets steam like incense coils Around the endless floor she toils Cleaning the same white sweep each day anew Glistening sheen of new-washed floors is fading There where office clocks are marking time Night's black tide has ebbed away By cliffs of glass awash with day She hurries from her labours still unseen He who lies besides her does not see her Nor does the child who once lay at her breast The shroud of self-denial covers Eager girl and tender lover Only the faded servant now is left How could it be that no-one saw her drowning? How did we come to be so unaware? At what point did she cease to be her? When did we cease to look and see her? How is it no-one knew she was there?The photos in this clip were found online. They do not belong to me and all copyright remains with the original holders.
Russ Chandler - Pale Blue Eyes Russ Chandler 2017-12-24 | Pale Blue Eyes by Lou ReedAs arranged and performed by Russ Chandler on the album "Last Night In Babylon".russchandlermusic.comSometimes I feel so happy, Sometimes I feel so sad. Sometimes I feel so happy, But mostly you just make me mad. Baby, you just make me mad. Linger on, your pale blue eyes. Linger on, your pale blue eyes. Thought of you as my mountain top, Thought of you as my peak. Thought of you as everything, I've had but couldn't keep. I've had but couldn't keep. Linger on, your pale blue eyes. Linger on, your pale blue eyes. If I could make the world as pure and strange as what I see, I'd put you in the mirror, I put in front of me. I put in front of me. Linger on, your pale blue eyes. Linger on, your pale blue eyes. Skip a life completely. Stuff it in a cup. She said, Money is like us in time, It lies, but can't stand up. Down for you is up." Linger on, your pale blue eyes. Linger on, your pale blue eyes. It was good what we did yesterday. And I'd do it once again. The fact that you are married, Only proves, you're my best friend. But it's truly, truly a sin. Linger on, your pale blue eyes. Linger on, your pale blue eyes.
No Master by William Morris Russ Chandler 2017-08-22 | This is my arrangement of the song "No Master" written by William Morris from the 1894 collection "Chants for Socialists"
Life in the East of London Russ Chandler 2017-06-20 | This song was written by Arthur West in 1891. It was sung by JW Rowley and a 78 recording of it was made by Pen Caws in the early twentieth century.It's a pictorial journey around the East End of London. I don't know how much of it is authentic to the authors experience or was just taken from the news of the day, but I thought it was quite unusual to have a song of this type point up the injustice and poverty of the city.The resonances with the present day East End were so striking I wrote an additional verse to bring it up to date."Donah" is old fashioned slang for "girlfriend".Thanks to Natasha Munoz for her help in making the video, which we made in the same streets referred to in the song.Additional verse by Russ ChandlerArranged & Performed by Russ Chandler"Life in the East of London"By Arthur West, 1891 If you want to see the bustle of our East-end London lifeTis a matter very easy, soon you’re in the busy strife.“Here you are, sir, Mile End Road sir, Jump up here along with me”O’er the bridge and through the city off you rattle speedily Hear the busman’s merry banter with the cabmen on the way,“Now then old-un, Come pull up there, Ain’t you had a fare all day?”Up through Fenchurch Street he takes you, and before long you get down,Amid the scenes you’ve come to visit in the wild, wild East of Town. There you see the busy throng,How they push each other along,Some with a jovial laugh and song,Some with woe quite undone.Who shall ever stay that tide?To the end it will abide,Riches and poverty side by side.That is life in the East-end of London. See the coster with his barrow, loudly shouting “Buy, buy buy!”“Fine and large, who’ll buy a marrow?” sells his lot feels bloomin’ dry.Goes into a pub, close handy, but he knows the one to choose,Stops until he’s chucked out singing rorty songs and full of booze. Then on Sundays he and others take their donahs for a drive,And to seat behind one gee-gee they can manage twenty five!Off to Epping, good old Epping, late at night come home again,No one knows which is his donah, each one shouts a different strain… “When the Bloom is on the Rye”,“Hi-tiddley-hi-ti-tiddley-hi-ti-ti”,“Drink up boys and never say die!”Never is the fun done.“Gipsy Maid” must harmonise,with “Two lovely fine black eyes”,“Happy go lucky the coster boys!”,That is life in the East-end of London. Mark the Jew there, old clothes selling, swears the coat’s a perfect love.“Fits you where it touches, does it? So help me fits you like a glove”.See the loafing drunken ruffian, children clinging to his knee,“Come home father, we’re so hungry, do come home to mother please”. See the chickaleary joker, does the dipping, knows his game,See the outcast on the pavement, once so pure now lost to shame.See the heartless wealthy sweater, fat and sleek and knows his book,The upon his toil-worn victim let us cast a pitying look… Stitch, Stitch, Stitch, in poverty,Every night and day is she,For her starving children three,Harder work by none done.Stitch, Stitch, Stitch, while bread they crave,Doomed to die the sweaters slave,Her only rest is the paupers grave,Such is life in the East-end of London. Walk up Brick Lane to Shoreditch High Street, squint your eyes and try to see,The barista in the coffee outlet, can I get a chai latte?Commutes for hours from distant suburbs or drowning in the flood of wealth,A tide of glass and steel and concrete that blazes light but eats itself. See the cleaner from the hotel, dreams of home across the sea.See the broker in his Merc can sell you authenticity.See the coster’s pub still standing, but lunch is a week of the living wage,And the endless stream of data mongers, “reach out” and “scrum” and quietly rage. Still you see the busy throng,Still do the work but no place to belong,Still the market, the bus, the lost ones,Still the sweater strutting.Who shall ever stay that tide?To the end it will abide,Riches and poverty side by side.That is life in the East-end of London.
Cosmotheka presents The Two Leslies Russ Chandler 2017-06-10 | An episode of the BBC radio show "Double Tops" recorded off-air in 1988.The Two Leslies were a popular British double act of the 1930's and 1940's featuring Leslie Sarony and Leslie Holmes.The first part of the opening track is missing.Copyright remains with the owner.
Paris Russ Chandler 2017-05-13 | Clive Palmer's song "Paris" as arranged by Wizz Jones.Recorded in the Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub in Walthamstow, London.Walk the lonely streets at midnightIn the gently falling rainThrow some money to the clochardWho is sleeping in the laneAnd I remember how I loved youAll the pleasure and the painWhile the lovers all lie sleepingIn the early morning rainSee the lights across the riverIn the water how they shineAnd I remember all those facesThat have vanished into timeAnd I remember how I loved youAll the pleasure and the painWhile the lovers all lie sleepingIn the early morning rainIn the city all lie sleepingThough the city never sleepsAnd the autumn leaves they tumbleAnd they gather at my feetAnd I remember how I loved youAll the pleasure and the painWhile the lovers all lie sleepingIn the early morning rain
Ive Never Wronged An Onion Russ Chandler 2017-05-07 | I've Never Wronged an OnionWritten By Robert Hargreaves & S. J. DamerelArranged and Performed by Russ ChandlerWe know it was performed by George Bass (1888 - 1928) and Ernie Mayne (1871 - 1937).I've seldom hurt a single thing or person in my lifeExcept people who don't matter like the landlord or the wifeBut now I'm puzzled and my heart is broken you will seePerhaps you can give me comfort, this is what has troubled meI've never wronged an onionI hope I never shallI've never wronged an onionI treat them as a palTell me, tell me, tell me why?I've never wronged an onionWhy does it make me cry?The trusting heart of cabbages I've broken I will ownI've torn a lettuce limb from limb no mercy have a I shownI've poked potatoes eyes out and not a single tear I've shedAnd the blood of many beetroots is upon my head
Olly Oakley - Gondolier Two Step Russ Chandler 2017-03-11 | Gramophone Company single sided 78 record GC-6454
Tell Your Father - Tell Your Mother (That Im Good Enough For You) by Leslie Sarony Russ Chandler 2017-02-26 | Sung by Leslie Sarony.
Gourd Banjo Tunes Russ Chandler 2017-02-20 | Briggs Corn Shucking Jig & Joel Sweeny's Jig recorded at the Traditions Festival 19 February 2017
