The Birmingham Jack of All Trades
Last updated: 11.10.23
I first heard The Birmingham Jack of All Trades on Wally Whyton's Folk Music programme sometime in July, 1983. I was very much taken with the song and transcribed it for possible use in the Idle Fellows. There I learned from Brian Kelly that there is a similar song but set in Dublin.
It's a fine, jolly song of streets and trades, at least two per line, that can be found in Birmingham where the singer had at one time worked or found employment. The song should be done at a fair old pace which makes it difficult due to the tongue-twisting, brief syllables and alliteration.
It's a fine, jolly song of streets and trades, at least two per line, that can be found in Birmingham where the singer had at one time worked or found employment. The song should be done at a fair old pace which makes it difficult due to the tongue-twisting, brief syllables and alliteration.
