> Folk Music > Songs > Tha' Lowks a Proper Swell Lass
Tha' Lowks a Proper Swell Lass
[words Lal Wood, music Richard Scollins]
Keith Kendrick sang Tha' Lowks a Proper Swell Lass in 1997 on his Fellside CD Home Ground. He commented in the liner notes:
Originally a poem written along a similar line to the theme of Where Do You Go to My Lovely? by Peter Sarstedt, but much earlier (early fifties, I think) reflecting life in the mining towns and villages of North East Derbyshire by one Lal Wood. The tune was added later (70s) by Dialect Historian and dear old buddy, the late Richard Scollins. I hope I've done justice to all concerned as in my opinion this is now a truly great song.
Doug Eunson sang Tha Lewks a Proper Swell Lass on his and Sarah Matthews' 2006 album Proper Swell. He commented:
Keith Kendrick sang us this fabulous tale of rags to riches while we were collaborating on a project called “Derbyshire Born and Bred”. Written in Derbyshire dialect by Lal in the 1950s (after the song Fare Thee Well My Lovely) and Rick's poignant melody takes some beating!
Jon Boden sang Tha' Lowks a Proper Swell Lass as the 25 July 2010 entry of his project A Folk Song a Day. He commented in the blog:
I spent many years asking every singer I met it they knew The Fish and Chip Song after hearing it many times at the Colpitts in Durham sung by John from Derbyshire. Eventually, I heard it by chance sitting in Fay’s student house with a Keith Kendrick CD on in the background. The poem was written partly as a celebration of Derbyshire dialect so I am on very shaky ground bastardising the language and what with my southern pronunciation… It’s still such a beautiful song regardless, I really feel it needs to be sung and if you can’t pull the original off (no chance for me) then an RP version will have to do. Please check out Keith’s original Derbyshire version though.
Lyrics
Keith Kendrick sings Tha' Lowks a Proper Swell Lass | Jon Boden sings Tha' Lowks a Proper Swell Lass |
---|---|
Tha' lowks a proper swell, lass, |
Tha' looks a proper swell, lass, |
But I remembers time, lass, in 1933 |
But I remember times, lass, 1983 |
Tha's done right for theeself lass, aye, |
And you done well for yourself, lass, |
But I remembers time, lass, as plain as ABC |
But I remember times, lass, as plain as ABC |
Tha cocks thee nose in th'air, lass, |
Now you hold yourself so proud, lass, |
But I remembers times lass, |
But I remember times, lass, |
And I wouldna wear tha's shoes, lass, |
I'd not be in your shoes, lass, |
But I remembers time, lass, |
But I remember times, lass, |
Well I wish thee all good luck, lass, |
Well I wish you all good luck, lass, |
But best not tell oud chap, lass, nor yet the family, |
But best not let the old man know nor yet your family, |
Acknowledgements
Thank you very much to Kasper Loopstra for the lyrics and to Jon Boden for correcting some embarrassing errors.