Drunken serenades

In Mkt Harborough Working Mens' Club there was a group of ex-pat Scots who used to congregate at one end of the bar - it was nick-named "Scot's Corner", mum and Ken used to be 'honorary members' having a lot of Scottish friends. Notably John and Jeanette Milligan, and Jimmy & Freda Pitkeithley. When we lived in Nithsdale Avenue it was part-way between the town centre and where Jimmy and Freda lived and we were often subjected to a 'carry-out' party with a crowd of their pals descending on the front room to play music, sing and drink some more (this was when the pub opening hours were 6.30pm - 11.pm on Saturdays) as there were no long opening hours in those days. It was commonplace to have a roomful of 10 to 15 people in all stages of drunkenness. The main thing in all of this was that there was rarely any trouble, all being more than happy to sing and drink rather than argue. Mind you, your great granny would make sure they stayed in line!

New years day was the highlight of these 'gatherings'. Mum would put a steak pie of massive proportions in the oven first thing in the morning, then her and my aunty Betty would go out along with Freda and any other of the wives who were up for it, whilst Ken would meet his Scots pals for drinks in the club. Come closing time (about 3.30pm at those times) they would all make their way back, "first footing" at our house. Mum would serve up the steak pie along with potatoes and peas while Ken would fetch out a bottle of his favourite tipple, whisky! These days were a real family occasion, with all their friends and their offspring, sometimes over 30 people crammed into a small front room. The whole scene was bedlam on occasion, but I never missed these special days, breaking off from my own celebrations with my pals to make sure I got back in time for some pie!

If the mood was really special Jimmy and Ken would take it in turns to sing, Jimmy's favourite was "My Way" by Frank Sinatra, where he would knock the light fitting whilst singing, Ken's was "Ruby" by Kenny Rogers. This didn't stop anyone else from taking a turn, but it's these two I remember above all others.

You've painted up your lips
And rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby are you contemplating
Going out somewhere

The shadow on the wall
Tells me the sun is going down
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town

It wasn't me

That started that old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go
And do my patriotic chore
And yes, it's true that
I'm not the man I used to be
Oh, Ruby I still need some company

Its hard to love a man
Whose legs are bent and paralysed
And the wants and the needs of a woman your age
Ruby I realize,
But it won't be long i've heard them say until I not around
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town

She's leaving now cause
I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I've heard it slamming
Some 100 times before
And if I could move I'd get my gun
And put her in the ground
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town

Oh Ruby for God's sake turn around