LIVELY
(Donegan / Buchanan)


Lonnie Donegan - 1960




Now, lively is a funny word
It means a lot of things
But to the burglar people
A hurgent call it brings
'Cause when they're breakin' open safes
Or nailin' up mail vans
Lively just means scarper, boys
To all the different gangs

Lively, lively, the night is goin' fast
Lively, lively, we've both got murky pasts
Lively, lively, don't leave that bloke untied
'Cause if you did, it's a penny to a quid
That we'd both end up inside

We broke into a spinster's house
While she was knelt in prayer
She was prayin' for a man
What sort she didn't care
We had to dive beneath the bed
The dust fair made us sneeze
"Cor, that was quick," the old girl cried
And jumped up orf 'er knees

Lively, lively, the night is goin' fast
Lively, lively, we've both got murky pasts
Lively, lively, don't leave that bloke untied
'Cause if you did, it's a penny to a quid
That we'd both end up inside

Now, we rehearsed for days and days
A smash-and-grab to do
"You throw the brick," one bloke said
"And I'll leave the grab to you"
The brick went through the windah
"Now grab," they cried, "and quick"
It wasn't till we'd got away
I found I'd grabbed our brick

Aw, lively, lively
'Ere, I sang this song once at a policemen's dance
But I was only singin' for coppers
Oh, what a gagster!

Whilst on the run once from the law
I rushed into a church
I mixed with lots of people
Just to confuse the search
I found meself right up the front
The best place I could 'ide
I 'ad a fright when some bloke said
"Got the ring? Here comes the bride," ooiks!

Lively, lively, the night is goin' fast
Lively, lively, we've both got murky pasts
Lively, lively, don't leave that bloke untied
'Cause if you did, it's a penny to a quid
That we'd both end up inside

The shop steward of our union
Was up before the judge
Who sentenced him to eigteen months
Our steward lodged a grudge
"The maximum is twelve, M'lud"
The judge replied, "What rot!
You've always wanted time and a half
And that's just what you've got"

Oh, lively, lively, the night is goin' fast
Lively, lively, we've both got murky pasts
Lively, lively, don't leave that bloke untied
Or if you did, it's a penny to a quid
Oh, gor blimey, here comes Hymie
(Lah, Lah, tuppence on your jar)
(Rosin the bow and here we go)
(Good luck then snapper, here comes a copper)
I've 'ad some beer, if we run in 'ere
We both end up inside






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - September 2015)