Winnie

from That Was The Year EP (Facebook versions) by The Powdered Earth

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lyrics

Winnie was one of triplets
Graced the Earth from 1917
They grew up with ten other children
In the wilds of the Forest of Dean

A pump in the yard for water
And the WC outside
They would strike up a lamp or candle
To handle the coal-black night

They had no time for flowers
There were cabbages and spuds to tend
No lack of work to fill the hours
At the house in Mile End

Beef dripping for thruppence
Stick an apple in yer knickers and go
Some sugar or some cheese,
Mr Hooper if you please
There’s many mouths to feed and funds are low

Winnie and eight sisters
Had to share a single room to sleep
At fourteen years they’d be out in the world
Working to earn their keep.

She began a life of service
As a housemaid in Cheltenham town
A pound a month and room and board
A lifetime away from tumbledown

When Winnie had a half day’s leisure
She’d watch the ladies on parade
Walking Pekinese for pleasure
Along the Cheltenham Promenade.

One day she joined the effort
When The Great War came to pass
Making TNT so the Jerries would flee
This gentle country lass.

She met a chap while dancing
At the YMCA
And the lovers married
On VE Day.

What a priceless romance
After all the gloom
Winnie’s voice a melody
To brighten any room

Winnie, the winsome
Winnie, the voice of cheer
Winnie bringing light to the dark and lonely night
Winnie, live on, my dear

credits

from That Was The Year EP (Facebook versions), released August 19, 2020
written & produced by George Moorey & Shane Young

Shane Young: Lead, Backing & Group Vocals, Drums
George Moorey: Acoustic Guitar & Group Vocals
Darragh Cullen: Bass Guitar & Group Vocals
Winnie Langley: snippet of conversation at the start of the recording
Gustaf Ljunggren: Piano, banjo, clarinet, Group vocals
Charlotte Ayrton: Mandolin, Harmonica, Ukelele (?) Group vocals
Alison Eales: Accordion, Group Vocals
Sinead McConville: Group Vocals
Erica McCarthy: Violin

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about

The Powdered Earth England, UK

The Powdered Earth are Gloucester, UK based writer/producer duo George Moorey and Shane Young.

gentle sounds, kind words, fiction and real life stories in song shaped wrappers

thepowderedearth.co.uk

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