The Pianola

When my wonderful mother, Edith, was alive she trawled for all sorts of wonderful things for Brewood Hall. She found a number of items when Rushall Methodist Chapel was demolished. The most magical for me was a WW1 vintage Pianola complete with many player rolls of that period.


The rather corny lyrics from many of these 'shows' really appealed to me - things like 'Gilbert the Filbert'.

GILBERT THE FILBERT

I am known round Town as a fearful blood
For I come straight down from the dear old flood
And I know who's who, and I know what's what
And between the two I'm a trifle hot
For I set the tone as you may suppose
For I stand alone when it comes to clothes
And as for gals just ask my pals
Why everybody knows.

Chorus: I'm Gilbert the Filbert the Knut with a K
The pride of Piccadilly the blasé roué
Oh Hades, the ladies, who leave their wooden huts
For Gilbert the Filbert the Colonel of the Knuts.

You may look upon me as a waster, what?
But you ought to see how I fag and swot
For I'm called by two, and by five I'm out
Which I couldn't do if I slacked about
Then I count my ties and I change my kit
And the exercise keeps me awfully fit
Once I begin I work like sin
I'm full of go and grit.

Chorus:

Written and composed by Arthur Wimperis & Herman Finck - 1914
Performed by Basil Hallam (1889-1916)

(From: https://monologues.co.uk/musichall/Songs-G/Gilbert-The-Filbert.htm)