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Pretty Girls of Brummagem

from Up The Cut by Jon Wilks

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THE PRETTY GIRLS OF BRUMMAGEM [ROUD V1691]

Several of the songs in the sheath given to me by Pat Palmer had melodies suggested for them. In some of these instances, Roy provided what seemed to be handwritten (but photocopied) scores. However, in many cases no melodies or suggestions were given at all. This song fell into the latter category, and so I sat down and wrote a tune myself. It wasn't difficult. As soon as I saw the lyrics, this melody instantly sprang to mind. I suspect it's a little more melancholy than the original, given that the lyrics have a kind of music hall quality about them.

Published in 1833 by Whitings, a Birmingham printer who appears to have had limited success in the songs world, the 'Pretty Girls of Brummagem' has the kind of title you might associate with bawdy singsongs. However, it’s quite the opposite, being something of a sweet, heartfelt look at how various Brummie men of the pre-Victorian era attempted to get the courage up to go a-courting. We hear from the cocksure dandy strutting down New Street with his “killing pair” of whiskers, the shopkeeper who fancies his chances but ends up on his arse, the chimney sweep who can only dream of going “where there is fun done”, and the “old gentleman of 64” for whom the excitement of love is an antidote to his ailments.

When Tom Moore heard me play this song, he began referring to it as "the Brummie 'Penny Lane", which I understood instantly. It's a charming snapshot of love and life in 1830s Birmingham.

Incidentally, a couple of interesting old phrases turn up in this song: "up the spout" apparently meant pawned, and "benjamin" was another word for a coat.

lyrics

Let poets sing about the fair
And praise their wit, their grace and air
The country has its damsels rare
That many hearts have undone
But for rosy cheeks and forms divine
For sparkling eyes and teeth so fine
No other maidens can outshine
The pretty girls of Brum

The dandy takes such mighty care
To spruce his person, curl his hair
Wears whiskers too, a killing pair,
He thinks he’s not by one done
Then up New Street he struts so gay
Smokes his Havannah on the way
He swaggers in his fine array
To charm the girls of Brum

The shopman saves up all his cash
About the streets to cut a dash
In beauty’s heart to make a smash
With pride enough to stun one
On Saturday his clothes get out
On Sunday proudly struts about
By Monday he’s all up the spout
Through charming girls of Brum

The chimney sweeper cries, “Oh wow
I hate this vulgar calling now
I means to be a slap-up beau
And go where there is fun done
I’ll wash my skin so lilly white
And sport my Benjamin all right
Then shan’t I flare up, blow me tight
I’ll game the girls of Brum

Old gentlemen of sixty-four
By gout and asthma plagued so sore
Inspired by love he feels pain no more
He's anxious as a young man
Cry talk of age – poh poh all stuff
I’m quite the lad, I’m hale and buff
I’m sixty four, that’s young enough
To charm the girls of Brum

So in every rank, in every stage
The Brummagem girls are all the rage
Their beauty charms both youth and age
They really are by none done
Their bliss, their lovely faces dear
Wherever or when they may appear
And may good fortune always cheer
The charming girls of Brum

credits

from Up The Cut, released February 12, 2021
Arranged, performed and recorded by Jon Wilks.

Mixed and mastered by Andi Lee, Kosi Studios.

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Jon Wilks Whitchurch, UK

'The sort of performer folk circles mean when they talk of the living tradition' - Mike Davies, Folking.com

“One of the best of the New Wave of Folk Blokes. As a guitar player and arranger of traditional songs, Jon Wilks already deserves speaking of in the same breath as your Simpsons and your Morays.” – Ian A. Anderson, fRoots Mag
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