Red Roses, Bright Castles by Phil Underwood Recorded by Phil Underwood I am a boat painter, my trade I will tell I paint all the boats that ply the canal A fine boatman's cabin it gladdens my sight Red roses, bright castles are all my delight So hand me me pots, me paintbrush in hand My work is renowned through all of England I'm out painting boats from morning 'til night Red Roses, bright castles are all my delight Now missus she likes to see flowers she'll say Bright colours do please her, they brighten her day She'll wash all the lace and wipe all the plates She'll polish the brass, she'll black the fire grate And master he wants his boat looking the best With his name all in white he can puff out his chest I'll paint him some diamonds if there's room to spare It's the finest on the cut, all the navvies declare So hand me me pots, me paintbrush in hand My work is renowned through all of England I'm out painting boats from morning 'til night Red Roses, bright castles are all my delight And when me day’s done, I take of me rest, My wife she will scold me for the paint on me breast, But she’ll wash out me shirt and brew up some tea, And in our warm cabin contented we’ll be. I'd like to thank Phil Underwood for giving me permission to reproduce his lyrics and use his recording of this excellent song. Phil is a playwright/musician who tours two canal based shows : Roses and Castles and Canals of Old England which are well worth looking out for.