DARE DEVIL DICK
(Harry Gifford / Fred E Cliffe)
as recorded by George Formby
October 29th 1936
You've heard of Dick Turpin and bold Robin 'Ood,
I'm known as one of the click.
A bit of a gangster, a terror to all,
The lads call me Dare Devil Dick.
I'm fond of a fight, over fightin' I gloat,
I'm always the first to hold anyone's coat!
Dare Devil Dick,
Up to every trick,
Dare Devil Dick, that's me!
Only last week, without sayin' a word,
I travelled first class when me ticket was third.
I'm a demon, I'm a devil may care, full of villainy;
Full fare on me ticket they soon made me pay,
But I got me own back the very next day.
I bought two first class tickets and walked all the way,
Dare Devil Dick, that's me!
Dare Devil Dick,
Up to every trick,
Dare Devil Dick, that's me!
With a girl on a raft I was wrecked on the seas,
I was in a short shirt, she wore a chemise.
"Hoist a signal!", soon she started to shout,
"And save us from the sea!"
I took off me shirt, "They won't see that!", she raved,
So I grabbed her chemise, on the mast it soon waved.
When she smiled I said, "Gee, I don't want to be saved!",
Dare Devil Dick, that's me!
Dare Devil Dick,
Up to every trick,
Dare Devil Dick, that's me!
For a picnic I went with me sweetie one day,
We romped in the fields and we sat in the hay.
It was lovely till she cried in alarm,
"There's a bumble bee!
Oh be brave and find it!" I shouted out "Where?"
She said, "Where I'm sittin', it's underneath there!"
I got stung on the hand , ha-ha but I didn't care,
Dare Devil Dick, that's me!
(Transcribed by Peter Akers - March 2017)