Runcorn Ferry-Stanley Holloway

[00:09.03]On the banks of the mersey over on cheshire side [00:12.58]Lies runcorn that's best known to fame [00:16.13]By transporter Bridge as takes folks over t'stream [00:20.52]Or else brings them back across same [00:23.47]In days afore transporter bridge were put up [00:26.85]A ferryboat lay in the slip [00:29.41]And old ted the boatman would row folks across [00:33.71]At per tuppence per person per trip [00:37.21]Now runcorn lay over on one side of stream [00:40.84]And widnes on t'other side stood [00:43.80]And as nobody wanted to go either place [00:47.75]Well the trade wasn't any too good [00:51.07]One evening to ted's superlative surprise [00:55.16]Three customers came into view [00:58.14]A Mr and Mrs ramsbottom it were [01:01.54]And albert their little son too [01:05.16]How much for the three Mr Ramsbottom asked [01:08.88]As his hand to his pocket did dip [01:12.53]Ted said same for three as it would be for one [01:16.72]Per tuppence per person per trip [01:20.67]You're not charging tuppence for that little lad [01:23.66]Said mother her eyes flashing wild [01:27.42]Per tuppence per person per trip answered ted [01:31.14]Per woman per man or per child [01:35.32]Fivepence for three that's the most that I'll pay [01:39.03]Said father don't waste time in talk [01:43.08]Per tuppence per person per trip answered ted [01:46.85]And them as can't pay as to walk [01:51.16]We can walk an all said father come mother [01:54.58]It's none so deep weather's quite mild [01:58.09]So into the water the three of them stepped [02:01.61]The father the mother the child [02:05.42]The further they paddled the deeper it got [02:08.97]But they wouldn't give in once begun [02:12.43]In the spirit that's made lancashire what she is [02:16.56]They'd sooner be drownded than done [02:20.89]Very soon the old people were up to their necks [02:24.58]And the little lad clean out of sight [02:28.96]Said father where's albert and mother replied [02:33.45]I've got hold of his hand he's all right [02:37.83]Well just at that moment pa got an idea [02:41.26]And floundering back to old ted he said [02:44.83]We've walked half way come take us the rest [02:48.78]For half price that's a penny a head [02:52.52]But ted wasn't standing for none of that there [02:55.95]And making an obstinate lip [02:59.15]Per tuppence per person per trip ted replied [03:03.51]Per trip or per part of per trip [03:07.79]All right then said father let me take the boat [03:11.83]And I'll pick up the others half way [03:14.69]I'll row them across and I'll bring the boat back [03:18.15]And thruppence in t'bargain I'll pay [03:22.24]T'were money for nothing ted answered right ho [03:26.19]And father got hold of the sculls [03:29.14]With the sharp end of boat towards middle of stream [03:32.76]He were there in a couple of pulls [03:36.04]He got mother out it were rather a job [03:39.49]With the water she weighed half a ton [03:42.91]Then pushing the oar down the side of the boat [03:46.28]Started fishing around for his son [03:49.84]When poor little albert came up to the top [03:53.51]His collars were soggy and limp [03:56.62]And with holding his breath at the bottom so long [03:59.96]His face were as red as a shrimp [04:03.52]Pa took them across and he brought the boat back [04:06.96]And he said to old ted on the slip [04:10.54]Wilt row me across by me'sen ted said [04:13.50]Aye at per tuppence per person per trip [04:19.17]When they got t'other side father laughed fit to bust [04:23.73]He'd got best of bargain you see [04:26.91]He'd worked it all out and he'd got his own way [04:30.41]And he'd paid nobbut fivepence for three [04:35.00]