OH DEAR, MOTHER
(Harry Gifford / Fred Cliffe / George Formby)

as recorded by George Formby
January 24th 1937


I called round last night,
My best girl to see,
Felt in such a plight
When she sat on my knee!

Oh dear, mother, well I didn't know what to do,
Oh dear, mother, we shared the same chair too.
She clung to me, both hard and fast,
And thought her chance had come at last,
But oh dear, mother, well I didn't know what to do!

Oh dear, mother, I didn't know what to do,
Oh dear, mother, a wasp down her neck flew.
It settled somewhere, I could tell,
She told me where it was as well,
But oh dear, mother, well I didn't know what to do!

At a christenin' once, I felt far from bold,
When they gave to me the baby boy to hold.
Oh dear, mother, well I didn't know what to do,
Oh dear, mother, I wore me best suit too.
They sprinkled water on 'is hair,
There was water water everywhere,
But oh dear, mother, well I didn't know what to do!

Oh dear, mother, well I didn't know what to do,
Oh dear, mother, an old woman who lived in a shoe;
I called to see her kids galore,
She'd said she'd room for a couple more,
But oh dear, mother, well I didn't know what to do!

Oh dear, mother, well I didn't know what to do,
Oh dear, mother, when in the bed with 'flu,
A young girl felt my pulse, but lor'!
My temperature rose more and more,
And oh dear, mother, well I didn't know what to do!

Oh dear, mother, well I didn't know what to do,
Oh dear, mother, while bathing in the blue,
Some girls, when I came out undressed,
Took snapshots of my family crest,
And oh dear, mother, well I didn't know what to do,
Oh dear, mother, well I didn't know what to do!




(Transcribed by Peter Akers - May 2017)