PLAYING THE GAME IN THE WEST
(Alec Kendal / George Formby Sr 1910)

as recorded by George Formby Sr
c1910


Since I've been in London, it's easy to see
There's no other johnny looks smarter than me!
I'm going the pace, that means playing the game,
I'm one of those gay dogs that's got a bad name!
I'm what folks would call a daredevil, you know,
No sooner an argument than it's a blow!
I've seen better days, still I don't care a sou,
I've gone to the dogs and you know what it's through!

Playin' the game in the west,
Playin' the game in the city,
Leading the life that serves,
Flirting with more than kitty.
Strolling along The Strand,
Knocking policemen about,
And I'm not going home till a quarter to ten,
'Cause it's my night out!

(banter)

The boys in the west seem quite jealous of me,
Because I am dressed rather tricky, you see!
When I smoke "El De Stinko", as everyone knows,
It's easy to make the cigar come down me nose!
For a day's shootin' I went yesterday,
When I'd broken four bottles I heard the man say,
"The guards are all nuts, you're a marvellous shot!
Are you in the army?", I said, "Yes sir, I'm not!"

I'm playing the game in the west,
Leading the life that's thrillin',
Out of a two bob piece,
All I've got left is a shillin'!
Treatin' the girls to cham',
Throwin' my money about,
And it wouldn't take me long to stop out all night,
'Cause it's my night out!




(Transcribed by Peter Akers - May 2017)