When I Was A Lad Song Lyrics And Guitar Chords
When I Was A Lad Song Lyrics And Guitar Chords. There are several versions of this songs doing the rounds. The original version was written by Nicky Newsome back in the 1970's and first recorded by Tom O'Connor. The song started of about life in Liverpool and the good auld days. It was also recorded by Irish singer Frank McCaffery. The first youtube video is by Larry White. Liverpool , just like Dublin has loads of songs written about it. The most popular Liverpool song in Ireland is The Leaving Of Liverpool Song which is regarded as a Sea Shanty.
Birkenhead Version
[G]Connie - onnie butties by the pier head
Waitin' for the Ferry to ar[D]rive.
[D]Throwing all me crusts at the seagulls,
When I was only [G]five.
[G]Paddlin' in the Mersey cockin' on the Moreton [D]Shore.
[D]Runnin' all the way to New Brighton,
Me feet got black and [G]sore.
Chorus
[G]When I was a [C]lad you could come to ar 'ouse,
When I was a [G]lad have a pan of blind scouse,
[D]Stand in the jigger as we listened to the patter of the [G]rain
[G]When I was a [C]lad 'idin' in the coalshed
When I was a [G]lad, playin' in me mam's bed.
[D]When I was a lad from Liverpool, who could ask for [G]more.[C],[G]
I remember me nan's 'ouse, she lived just down our street,
Help her put the washing through the mangle, we'd all get soakin' feet
Wait for me dad outside the booqer, 'opscotch in the street,
If'e got lucky on the 'orses 'e'd give us a tanner as a treat.
School from Monday to Friday, I learned to read and write,
Granddad sittin' on the doorstep, in the fadin' light,
Tin bath 'angin' from a six inch nail, lino on the floor,
Lavat're out in the backyard, sittin' with your foot against the door.
Times were ard' in winter, but mother kept us fed,
All night 'uddled round the fireside, overcoats on the bed,
We were a great big family, we all slept 'ead to toe,
In a big brass bed up in the backroom, it seems so long ago.
Things aren't quiet the same now, the trams have said goodbye,
Ar old 'ouse is a car park, several stories 'igh.
But still I love my Liverpool, it's where I plan to die,
Unless just one thing 'appens, the Liverbirds start to fly.
[G]Connie - onnie butties by the pier head
Waitin' for the Ferry to ar[D]rive.
[D]Throwing all me crusts at the seagulls,
When I was only [G]five.
[G]Paddlin' in the Mersey cockin' on the Moreton [D]Shore.
[D]Runnin' all the way to New Brighton,
Me feet got black and [G]sore.
Chorus
[G]When I was a [C]lad you could come to ar 'ouse,
When I was a [G]lad have a pan of blind scouse,
[D]Stand in the jigger as we listened to the patter of the [G]rain
[G]When I was a [C]lad 'idin' in the coalshed
When I was a [G]lad, playin' in me mam's bed.
[D]When I was a lad from Liverpool, who could ask for [G]more.[C],[G]
I remember me nan's 'ouse, she lived just down our street,
Help her put the washing through the mangle, we'd all get soakin' feet
Wait for me dad outside the booqer, 'opscotch in the street,
If'e got lucky on the 'orses 'e'd give us a tanner as a treat.
School from Monday to Friday, I learned to read and write,
Granddad sittin' on the doorstep, in the fadin' light,
Tin bath 'angin' from a six inch nail, lino on the floor,
Lavat're out in the backyard, sittin' with your foot against the door.
Times were ard' in winter, but mother kept us fed,
All night 'uddled round the fireside, overcoats on the bed,
We were a great big family, we all slept 'ead to toe,
In a big brass bed up in the backroom, it seems so long ago.
Things aren't quiet the same now, the trams have said goodbye,
Ar old 'ouse is a car park, several stories 'igh.
But still I love my Liverpool, it's where I plan to die,
Unless just one thing 'appens, the Liverbirds start to fly.
Alternative chords.
Key of C
[C]Connie - onnie butties by the pier head
Waitin' for the Ferry to ar[G]rive.
[G]Throwing all me crusts at the seagulls,
When I was only [C]five.
[C]Paddlin' in the Mersey cockin' on the Moreton [G]Shore.
[G]Runnin' all the way to New Brighton,
Me feet got black and [C]sore.
Chorus
[C]When I was a [F]lad you could come to ar 'ouse,
When I was a [C]lad have a pan of blind scouse,
[G]Stand in the jigger as we listened to the patter of the [C]rain
[C]When I was a [F]lad 'idin' in the coalshed
When I was a [C]lad, playin' in me mam's bed.
[G]When I was a lad from Liverpool, who could ask for [C]more.[F],[C]
Key of D
[D]Connie - onnie butties by the pier head
Waitin' for the Ferry to ar[A]rive.
[A]Throwing all me crusts at the seagulls,
When I was only [D]five.
[D]Paddlin' in the Mersey cockin' on the Moreton [A]Shore.
[A]Runnin' all the way to New Brighton,
Me feet got black and [D]sore.
Chorus
[D]When I was a [G]lad you could come to ar 'ouse,
When I was a [D]lad have a pan of blind scouse,
[A]Stand in the jigger as we listened to the patter of the [D]rain
[D]When I was a [G]lad 'idin' in the coalshed
When I was a [D]lad, playin' in me mam's bed.
[A]When I was a lad from Liverpool, who could ask for [D]more.[G],[D]
Key of C
[C]Connie - onnie butties by the pier head
Waitin' for the Ferry to ar[G]rive.
[G]Throwing all me crusts at the seagulls,
When I was only [C]five.
[C]Paddlin' in the Mersey cockin' on the Moreton [G]Shore.
[G]Runnin' all the way to New Brighton,
Me feet got black and [C]sore.
Chorus
[C]When I was a [F]lad you could come to ar 'ouse,
When I was a [C]lad have a pan of blind scouse,
[G]Stand in the jigger as we listened to the patter of the [C]rain
[C]When I was a [F]lad 'idin' in the coalshed
When I was a [C]lad, playin' in me mam's bed.
[G]When I was a lad from Liverpool, who could ask for [C]more.[F],[C]
Key of D
[D]Connie - onnie butties by the pier head
Waitin' for the Ferry to ar[A]rive.
[A]Throwing all me crusts at the seagulls,
When I was only [D]five.
[D]Paddlin' in the Mersey cockin' on the Moreton [A]Shore.
[A]Runnin' all the way to New Brighton,
Me feet got black and [D]sore.
Chorus
[D]When I was a [G]lad you could come to ar 'ouse,
When I was a [D]lad have a pan of blind scouse,
[A]Stand in the jigger as we listened to the patter of the [D]rain
[D]When I was a [G]lad 'idin' in the coalshed
When I was a [D]lad, playin' in me mam's bed.
[A]When I was a lad from Liverpool, who could ask for [D]more.[G],[D]
Different version of the song below with some lyrics missing
Sittin' near the bar at a party listnin' to the auld one's sing,
Watchin' me nana on the piano. Boy could she make it ring!
Goin' on the ferry 'cross the Mersey on the deck of the Daffodil,
The Dodgems in New Brighton, it was such a thrill.
CHORUS: When I was a lad, neighbors were neighbors.
When I was a lad, we did each other favors.
Everybody's front door was open; you didn't need a key.
When I was a lad, you could come to our house.
When I was a lad, have a pan of our scouse.
We didn't have much but we were as happy as can be.
2. Goin' for a week down in Butlin's, the ferry by the sea
We'd torment the ... of the redcoats, all me mates and me
Ev'ry day in summer was a warm one, off for a paddle or a swim,
Stay out in the fading light till me mam would call us in.
3. Go on with me now to Paddy's Market, buyin' some tripe for tea
Then back for fottie on the wireless, sittin' on me granddad's knee.
Goin' to the flicks Sat'd'y mornin', Flash Gordon on the screen.
Getting chucked off the bus by the conductor, and me mam sayin' "Where've you been?"
4. Things aren't quite the same now for most the folks you meet.
Kids would rather play on the computer than ride a bike in the street,
But I still love this city, and the people too.
My heart belongs to Liverpool 'cause that's the place I grew
Sittin' near the bar at a party listnin' to the auld one's sing,
Watchin' me nana on the piano. Boy could she make it ring!
Goin' on the ferry 'cross the Mersey on the deck of the Daffodil,
The Dodgems in New Brighton, it was such a thrill.
CHORUS: When I was a lad, neighbors were neighbors.
When I was a lad, we did each other favors.
Everybody's front door was open; you didn't need a key.
When I was a lad, you could come to our house.
When I was a lad, have a pan of our scouse.
We didn't have much but we were as happy as can be.
2. Goin' for a week down in Butlin's, the ferry by the sea
We'd torment the ... of the redcoats, all me mates and me
Ev'ry day in summer was a warm one, off for a paddle or a swim,
Stay out in the fading light till me mam would call us in.
3. Go on with me now to Paddy's Market, buyin' some tripe for tea
Then back for fottie on the wireless, sittin' on me granddad's knee.
Goin' to the flicks Sat'd'y mornin', Flash Gordon on the screen.
Getting chucked off the bus by the conductor, and me mam sayin' "Where've you been?"
4. Things aren't quite the same now for most the folks you meet.
Kids would rather play on the computer than ride a bike in the street,
But I still love this city, and the people too.
My heart belongs to Liverpool 'cause that's the place I grew