@migu music@

Runcorn Ferry - Stanley Holloway

On the banks of the mersey over on cheshire side

Lies runcorn that's best known to fame

By transporter Bridge as takes folks over t'stream

Or else brings them back across same

In days afore transporter bridge were put up

A ferryboat lay in the slip

And old ted the boatman would row folks across

At per tuppence per person per trip

Now runcorn lay over on one side of stream

And widnes on t'other side stood

And as nobody wanted to go either place

Well the trade wasn't any too good

One evening to ted's superlative surprise

Three customers came into view

A Mr and Mrs ramsbottom it were

And albert their little son too

How much for the three Mr Ramsbottom asked

As his hand to his pocket did dip

Ted said same for three as it would be for one

Per tuppence per person per trip

You're not charging tuppence for that little lad

Said mother her eyes flashing wild

Per tuppence per person per trip answered ted

Per woman per man or per child

Fivepence for three that's the most that I'll pay

Said father don't waste time in talk

Per tuppence per person per trip answered ted

And them as can't pay as to walk

We can walk an all said father come mother

It's none so deep weather's quite mild

So into the water the three of them stepped

The father the mother the child

The further they paddled the deeper it got

But they wouldn't give in once begun

In the spirit that's made lancashire what she is

They'd sooner be drownded than done

Very soon the old people were up to their necks

And the little lad clean out of sight

Said father where's albert and mother replied

I've got hold of his hand he's all right

Well just at that moment pa got an idea

And floundering back to old ted he said

We've walked half way come take us the rest

For half price that's a penny a head

But ted wasn't standing for none of that there

And making an obstinate lip

Per tuppence per person per trip ted replied

Per trip or per part of per trip

All right then said father let me take the boat

And I'll pick up the others half way

I'll row them across and I'll bring the boat back

And thruppence in t'bargain I'll pay

T'were money for nothing ted answered right ho

And father got hold of the sculls

With the sharp end of boat towards middle of stream

He were there in a couple of pulls

He got mother out it were rather a job

With the water she weighed half a ton

Then pushing the oar down the side of the boat

Started fishing around for his son

When poor little albert came up to the top

His collars were soggy and limp

And with holding his breath at the bottom so long

His face were as red as a shrimp

Pa took them across and he brought the boat back

And he said to old ted on the slip

Wilt row me across by me'sen ted said

Aye at per tuppence per person per trip

When they got t'other side father laughed fit to bust

He'd got best of bargain you see

He'd worked it all out and he'd got his own way

And he'd paid nobbut fivepence for three