Washing Day
John - Anglo Concertina
A tune and song from the Adderbury Morris Dance
Tradition, whose revival I have been involved with
since 1974. The text of this version comes from
“Folklore and Songs of The Black Country and the
West Midlands Vol. 3” by Mike & Jon Raven, and
is from a Broadside printed by T. Bloomer of
Birmingham. The old Morris team in Adderbury
would sometimes sing the verses of a song in set
position without moving, and then clash sticks
during the chorus, as a break or breather between
dances or at club feasts. They called them
"Clap Songs".
The Song
The sky with clouds was overcast
The rain began to fall, my wife she beat the children
And she raise a pretty squall.
She bade with a frowning look to get out of the way
The devil a bit of comfort there upon the Washing Day
Chorus.
For it's thump thump & scrub scrub & scrub scrub away
The devil a bit of comfort there
Upon the Washing day.
My Kate she is a bonny wife
There's none more free from evil
Except upon a washing day & then she is a devil.
The very kittens on the hearth they dare not even play,
Away they jump with many a thump upon the Washing Day.
A friend of mine once asked of me
How long poor Kate was died,
Lamenting the good creature & sorry I was wed,
To such a scolding vixen, while he had been at sea,
The truth it was, he chanced to come upon a Washing Day.
On that morning when I arise,
I make a fervent prayer,
Unto the Gods that it may be throughout the day quite fair.
That not a gown nor handkerchief may in the dirt be laid,
For should it happen so, egad - Upon the Washing Day.