She Was Poor but She Was Honest

Musician Derek Lamb (1936–2005) pays tribute to the English Music Hall tradition in this collection of 18 songs—parodies, ballads, and “colorful” pub songs. According to the liner notes, written by Lamb, Music Hall was introduced to London in the 1840s and became the British working class’ main entertainment until the end of World War I. Lamb sings and plays three different stringed instruments on the recording: guitar, violin, and banjo. Among the tracks is one titled “Sweeny Todd the Barber,” about the infamous (likely fictional) barber of Fleet Street who was later the subject of plays, other songs, and a Broadway musical. Liner notes from this 1962 recording provide background information and lyrics to each selection.

Track Listing

101	She Was Poor But She Was Honest	Derek Lamb	03:38
102	The Money Rolls In	Derek Lamb	01:21
103	Pickled Onions / Don't Cry Daddy / The Winkle Song	Derek Lamb	01:51
104	Roll-Tiddly-Ole	Derek Lamb	01:43
105	Pretty Polly Perkins of Paddington Green	Derek Lamb	02:45
106	Botany Bay	Derek Lamb	02:17
107	The Hole in the Elephants Bottom	Derek Lamb	01:18
108	The Landlady's Daughter / Slap Dab / Nine Inch Nails / My Daughter's Wedding Day / The Poor Young Girl	Derek Lamb	03:00
109	Villikins and His Dinah	Derek Lamb	03:03
110	Sweeny Todd the Barber	Derek Lamb	04:06
111	Barsted King of England	Derek Lamb	02:44
112	The Old Baby Farmer	Derek Lamb	02:35
113	I Don't Want to Play in Your Yard / They're Moving Grandpa's Grave to Build a Sewer / Thirty Years Ago Today / Two Lovely Black Eyes	Derek Lamb	03:03
114	Do It No More	Derek Lamb	01:56
115	The End of My Old Cigar	Derek Lamb	01:41
116	The Little Shirt My Mother Made for Me	Derek Lamb	01:19
117	My Ma’s a Millionaire / Wise Men Say / You Are a Marvel / Any Old Iron / Henry the VIII I Am	Derek Lamb	01:26
118	The Miner's Dream of Home	Derek Lamb	00:44