When I'm Cleaning Windows

George Formby

Miscellaneous

When I'm Cleaning Windows

When I'm Cleaning Windows

George Formby

- written by George Formby, Harry Gifford and Frederick E. Cliffe

- as recorded September 27, 1936 by George Formby (1904-1961)

Now I go cleanin' windows to earn an honest bob

For a nosy parker it's an interestin' job

Now it's a job that just suits me

A window cleaner you would be

If you can see what I can see

When I'm cleanin' windows

Honeymoonin' couples too

You should see them bill 'n coo

You'd be surprised at things they do

When I'm cleanin' windows

In my profession I'll work hard

But I'll never stop

I'll climb this blinkin' ladder

Till I get right to the top

The blushin' bride, she looks divine

The bridegroom he is doin' fine

I'd rather have his job than mine

When I'm cleanin' windows

The chambermaids' sweet names I call

It's a wonder I don't fall

My mind's not on my work at all

When I'm cleanin' windows

I know a fella, such a swell

He has a thirst, that's plain to tell

I've seen him drink his bath as well

When I'm cleanin' windows

Oh, in my profession I'll work hard

But I'll never stop

I'll climb this blinkin' ladder

Till I get right to the top

Pyjamas lyin' side by side

Ladies nighties I have spied

I've often seen what goes inside

When I'm cleanin' windows

------ banjo ------

Now there's a famous talkie queen

She looks a flapper on the screen

She's more like eightie than eighteen

When I'm cleanin' windows

She pulls her hair all down behind

Then pulls down her... never mind

And after that pulls down the blind

When I'm cleanin' windows

In my profession I'll work hard

But I'll never stop

I'll climb this blinkin' ladder

Till I get right to the top

An old maid walks around the floor

She's so fed up, one day I'm sure

She'll drag me in and lock the door

When I'm cleanin' windows

When I'm cleanin' windows

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Glossary

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bob: an informal word for a shilling, a British coin

worth one twentieth of a pound

nosy parker: a prying person

bill 'n coo: "bill" means to kiss and whisper amorously;

"coo" means to murmur lovingly

swell: remarkable person

talkie: an early film with a soundtrack; a "talking picture"

flapper: (in the 1920s) a young woman, especially one

flaunting her unconventional behaviour

old maid: a woman regarded as unlikely ever to marry;

a spinster