Ian Campbell was born June 10, 1933 in Aberdeen, Scotland and his family moved to Birmingham in 1946. He formed the Clarion Skiffle Group in the mid 1950s along with his sister Lorna Campbell who was also the singer. They were later joined by guitarist Dave Phillips and banjo player Gordon McCulloch, and by 1958 were known as the Ian Campbell Four.
By 1960, McCulloch had been replaced by John Dunkerley and the group was also joined by violinist Dave Swarbrick (born April 5, 1941 in London). The group became well-known on the local folk music scene and played regularly around Birmingham, often appearing at The Crown Pub on Station Street. It was there that they played on a live recording that was released as Ceilidh At The Crown in 1962. The following year, the group was signed to Transatlantic Records and released their first album entitled This Is The Ian Campbell Folk Group. At around this time, Dave Phillips left and was replaced by Brian Clark.
The Ian Campbell Group soon established themselves as a highly proficient live act who became well known for their instrumental abilities as well as Ian Campbell's talent as a songwriter. Tours and television appearances followed, and in March of 1965 the group even managed to get a hit single with their rendition of Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin'. The group's major strength however, lay in their live performances where the line-up was often supplemented by top session musicians.
In 1966, Dave Swarbrick left to become a major player in the British folk scene and later joined the well known group Fairport Convention. Bass player Dave Pegg from the Birmingham group The Uglys joined the Ian Campbell Group in 1967 and a few years later would also leave to join Fairport Convention.
Despite many further personnel changes, the Ian Campbell Folk Group continued to tour and release records throughout the 1960s and 1970s although tragically, John Dunkerley died of Hodgkinsons disease in 1977 at only 35 years old. The group disbanded in the late 1970's but their status in folk music circles has continued to increase since then as one of the earliest significant British folk groups.
Liverpool Lullaby
The Ian Campbell Folk Group Lyrics
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Dirty as a dustbin lid
When he hears the things that you did
You'll get a belt from yer dad
Oh, you have your father's nose
So crimson in the dark it glows
If you're not asleep when the boozers close
You look so scruffy lying there
Strawberry jam tarts in your hair
In all the world you haven't a care
And I have got so many
It's quite a struggle every day
Livin' on yer father's pay
The beggar drinks it all away
And leaves me without any
Although you have no silver spoon
Better days are coming soon
Our Nelly's working at the loom
And she gets paid on Friday
Perhaps one day we'll have a splash
When little woods provide the cash
We'll get a house in Knotty Ash
And buy your dad a brewery
Oh you are a mucky kid
Dirty as a dustbin lid
When he hears the things that you did
You'll get a belt from yer dad
Oh you have your father's face
You're growing up a real hard case
But there's no one can take your place
Go fast asleep for your mummy
The Ian Campbell Folk Group's song "Liverpool Lullaby" is a humorous and slightly melancholy portrayal of working-class life in Liverpool in the 1960s. The first verse describes a child who is a bit of a troublemaker, getting into mischief and making a mess. The second verse references the child's appearance, particularly his nose, and warns him that if he's not in bed when the local pubs close, he'll feel his father's belt.
The third verse is a tender moment between mother and child, with the mother admiring her child's carefree attitude and lamenting her own struggles as a working-class mother. She dreams of a better future for her family, where they can afford a house and her husband can pursue his dream of owning a brewery. The final verse affirms the mother's love for her son, despite his mischievousness and rough exterior, and encourages him to go to sleep.
The song captures a moment in time in Liverpool's history, when the city was still recovering from the devastation of World War II and struggling with poverty and unemployment. The image of a mother trying to make ends meet on her husband's low wages while he drinks them away at the pub is particularly poignant. Yet the song also celebrates the strength and resilience of working-class families, who may not have much material wealth but find joy in each other's company and in simple pleasures like a jam tart.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh you are a mucky kid
You are a dirty child
Dirty as a dustbin lid
As dirty as the top of a garbage can
When he hears the things that you did
When your father hears about your misdeeds
You'll get a belt from yer dad
Your father will physically discipline you
Oh, you have your father's nose
Your nose resembles your father's
So crimson in the dark it glows
It appears red in the dark
If you're not asleep when the boozers close
If you are not sleeping when the bars close
You'll get a belt from yer dad
Your father will physically discipline you
You look so scruffy lying there
You appear unkempt while lying down
Strawberry jam tarts in your hair
Your hair is messy and has pieces of food stuck in it
In all the world you haven't a care
You do not have any worries in the world
And I have got so many
In contrast, I have many worries
It's quite a struggle every day
Every day is a challenge
Livin' on yer father's pay
Surviving on your father's income
The beggar drinks it all away
Your father spends all his money on alcohol
And leaves me without any
And I am left with nothing
Although you have no silver spoon
Even though you were not born into wealth
Better days are coming soon
There is hope for a brighter future
Our Nelly's working at the loom
Your aunt Nelly is employed in a factory
And she gets paid on Friday
She receives her wages on Friday
Perhaps one day we'll have a splash
Maybe one day we'll celebrate
When little woods provide the cash
When we receive a windfall
We'll get a house in Knotty Ash
We'll move to a better neighborhood
And buy your dad a brewery
We'll buy your father a brewery so he can stop drinking away his money
Oh you are a mucky kid
You are a dirty child
Dirty as a dustbin lid
As dirty as the top of a garbage can
When he hears the things that you did
When your father hears about your misdeeds
You'll get a belt from yer dad
Your father will physically discipline you
Oh you have your father's face
You resemble your father
You're growing up a real hard case
You are becoming a difficult child to raise
But there's no one can take your place
Despite your challenges, you are irreplaceable
Go fast asleep for your mummy
Go to sleep, dear child, for your mother
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STAN KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind