Popular Nostalgia

George Formby was born George Hoy Booth on 26 May 1904 in Wigan, Lancashire. He started out as a professional jockey because his father didn’t want his son to follow him into showbusiness. Once his Father died, George went into stand-up. He bought a ukelele from an actor for £2.50 with a bet that he wouldn’t dare use it on stage.

He did and he became a phenomenon -best known for entertaining millions of Allied troops with Northern humour and plucky tunes. General Montgomery personally invited him to appear before the front-line soldiers in Normandy. He appeared in hundreds of shows, wrote hundreds more songs and appeared in 21 hit films.

Here’s one of his most famous songs:

Lyrics for “When I’m Cleaning Windows”

Now I go window cleaning to earn an honest bob.
For a nosey parker it’s an interesting job
Now it’s a job that just suits me, a window cleaner you will be.
If you could see what I can see
When I’m cleaning windows.

Honeymooning couples too, you should see them bill and coo.
You’d be surprised at things they do
When I’m cleaning windows.

In my profession I work hard, but I’ll never stop.
I’ll climb this blinking ladder ‘til I get right to the top.

The blushing bride she looks divine, the bridegroom he is doing fine
I’d rather have his job than mine
When I’m cleaning windows.

The chambermaid sweet names I call, it’s a wonder I don’t fall.
My minds not on my work at all
When I’m cleaning windows

I know a fellow such a swell, he has a thirst that’s plain to tell.
I’ve seen him drink his bath as well
When I’m cleaning windows

In my profession I’ll work hard, but I’ll never stop.
I’ll climb this blinking ladder ‘til I get right to the top.

Pyjamas lying side by side, ladies nighties I have spied.
I’ve often seen what goes inside, when I’m cleaning windows.

There’s a famous talkie queen, looks a flapper on the screen.
She’s more like eighty than eighteen
When I’m cleaning windows.

She pulls her hair all down behind, then pulls down her, never mind
After that pulls down the blind
When I’m cleaning windows.

In my profession I’ll work hard, but I’ll never stop.
I’ll climb this blinking ladder ‘til I get right to the top.

At eight o’clock a girl she wakes, at five past eight a bath she takes.
At ten-past eight my ladder breaks
When I’m cleaning windows.