DIRTY LITTLE TINKER
(Harry Hemsley)

Harry Hemsley (as the voice of Johnny) - c.1934


Some children, they're as good as gold and never cause alarm 
They always do just as they're told and never come to harm 
They never litter up the place and never soil their clothes 
So call them "Lamb" and "Angel Face", to please them, I suppose 

Dirty little tinker, dirty little mite 
That's what Daddy calls me, that's the name I like! 
Inky clothes and fingers, face all smeared with jam 
Dirty little tinker, an' (giggles) I'm very glad I am! 

DADDY: Hello Johnny 
JOHNNY: Hello Daddy 
DADDY: Good gracious, look at your dirty hand, 
I've never seen a dirtier one 
JOHNNY: Well look at this one then! 
DADDY: Did you wash this morning? 
JOHNNY: Yes Daddy 
DADDY: Don't believe you 
JOHNNY: Ooh, you ought to see the towel! 
DADDY: You dirty little tinker! 

Most children when there's visitors are taught to be polite 
But when one calls upon my Dad, they tuck me out of sight 
I have to mind my p's and q's on 'casions such as these 
'Cause Nurse says Daddy won't excuse a boy with dirty knees

Dirty little tinker, dirty little mite 
That's what Daddy calls me, that's the name I like! 
Inky clothes and fingers, face all smeared with jam 
Dirty little tinker, an' (giggles) I'm very glad I am! 

(Instrumental Break), then a final chorus:

Dirty little muck-pot, dirty little tyke 
That's what Daddy calls me, that's the name I like! 
Never calls me "Sonny boy", Nurse says it's a shame 
Dirty little mucky pup, (giggles), but he loves me just the same!


TRIVIA: "Johnny" in this song is one of his imaginary family that featured in Hemsley's BBC Radio broadcasts.


(Transcribed by James Went - February 2007)







(Contributed by  - February 2007)