A Bit of a Do © Barry Goodman 2008 Recorded by Life and Times Chorus: And we’ll meet together when we get the chance And we’ll sing and we’ll play for the old step-dance At the Navigation and the New Inn too, We’re going to have a bit of a do! Going to have a bit of a do! The sun’s been down for an hour or two And the horse is going slow; We’ve been working this pair, just me and you, For twelve hours on the go. We could tie up now, have a bite to eat, Have a tune and go to bed, Or we could meet with our mates at the old Bridge Inn Just around the bend ahead. Our lad’s been courting a Marsworth girl And he says they’re going to wed, So we’ll call for the family all to come And gather at the old Turk’s Head, And afterwards we’ll celebrate At the White Lion up by the lock But no matter how late the party ends We’ll be off again at four o’clock. We’re taking a load up to Coventry By way of the Braunston flight, And when we’re through we’ll tie them up At the Nelson for the night, Then up to Rugby, past the Royal Oak And the Boat and the Barley Mow; We’ll stop for the day at Hawksbury And to the Greyhound Inn we’ll go. So we’ll work all the hours that daylight brings, Then we’ll take a few hours sleep, And we’re off again with the same routine To make sure we earn our keep. But when there’s a crowd of boats tying up Near a pub we all like well, Then a bit of a do will surely carry on Well after the drinking-up bell! Canalside pubs were important watering holes and social stops for the boatmen and their families. Some pubs had little or no connection with anything but the canal, being isolated from any public roads. Barry Goodman, who wrote the song and kindly provided the words, music and additional information, was a member of song duo 'Life and Times' and dance band 'Time of Your Life'. Recorded on :
A Bit of a Do © Barry Goodman 2008 Recorded by Life and Times Chorus: And we’ll meet together when we get the chance And we’ll sing and we’ll play for the old step-dance At the Navigation and the New Inn too, We’re going to have a bit of a do! Going to have a bit of a do! The sun’s been down for an hour or two And the horse is going slow; We’ve been working this pair, just me and you, For twelve hours on the go. We could tie up now, have a bite to eat, Have a tune and go to bed, Or we could meet with our mates at the old Bridge Inn Just around the bend ahead. Our lad’s been courting a Marsworth girl And he says they’re going to wed, So we’ll call for the family all to come And gather at the old Turk’s Head, And afterwards we’ll celebrate At the White Lion up by the lock But no matter how late the party ends We’ll be off again at four o’clock. We’re taking a load up to Coventry By way of the Braunston flight, And when we’re through we’ll tie them up At the Nelson for the night, Then up to Rugby, past the Royal Oak And the Boat and the Barley Mow; We’ll stop for the day at Hawksbury And to the Greyhound Inn we’ll go. So we’ll work all the hours that daylight brings, Then we’ll take a few hours sleep, And we’re off again with the same routine To make sure we earn our keep. But when there’s a crowd of boats tying up Near a pub we all like well, Then a bit of a do will surely carry on Well after the drinking-up bell! Canalside pubs were important watering holes and social stops for the boatmen and their families. Some pubs had little or no connection with anything but the canal, being isolated from any public roads. Barry Goodman, who wrote the song and kindly provided the words, music and additional information, was a member of song duo 'Life and Times' and dance band 'Time of Your Life'. Recorded on :
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