Waiting by the Lock for My Lad by Matt Kenrick (2025) I’ve stitched and I’ve scrubbed and I’ve served in the store Told Mam, “If he loves me, he’ll knock on our door” She huffed and she puffed, said “He’s no kind of gent!” But I saved up my smiles till he paid off his rent Chorus: Waiting by the lock for my lad to appear With coal-smudged hands and a grin ear to ear He promised me roses and one day a ring I’d settle for tea and a song he could sing From Bingley to Bootle, I’ve towed half the land Through rainstorms and frostbite with rope-burnt hands And while she’s been waitin’, she’s darned my old coat I left behind on my leaky old boat! Chorus: Waiting by the lock for my lad to appear With calloused worn fingers that are stale from the air But love’s not for posh girls with dresses and pearls It’s stew on a stove and the Barge full of worlds There’s paint on the porch and the dog’s learned to bark Mam’s started to soften - well, just a small spark He’s comin’, I know it. I feel it in me Like the wind on the Mersey that rolls in from the sea I’ll step on the deck with a ribbon in hand And I’ll smile like a fool as we push off from land No wedding bells needed, no preacher, no fuss Just the cut, and the stars, and a kettle for us Final Chorus Waiting by the lock for my lad to appear With love in my heart and the towpath so near From Leeds to the docks, he’s been faithful and true So here’s to the bargemen and their bonnies too Outro - gentle The canal may be crooked, but love finds its line And I’ll follow that wake ‘til the barge makes it mine This song of one of a number of excellent canal-related songs written by Matt Kenrick who has kindly provided the lyrics. Recording to follow. Click on the logo to download a pdf of the song as provided by Matt. This provides all the chords and playing advice. It will open in a new window.