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I understand Harry Champion of 'Any Old Iron' fame sang a song possibly titled 'Don't Mess with Jim' or something to that effect. I can't find the song or lyrics anywhere but I am told that they relate to one of our ancestors. Perhaps one of you has an old manuscript somewhere containing the tunes of this popular music hall entertainer. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks. Frank.

Any old iron, Any old iron, An-y an-y an-y old iron, You look neat Talk about a treat, You look dapper From your napper To your feet, Dressed in style, Brand new tile, And your father's old green tie on, But I wouldn't give you tuppence For your old watch chain, Old iron, old iron.

Frank the WHOLE song: 1. Just a week or two ago my dear old Uncle Bill, He went and kicked the bucket and he left me in his will, So I went around the road to see my Auntie Jane, She said your Uncle Bill has left you a watch and chain, So I put it on right across my derby kell, The sun was shining on it and it made me look a swell, I went out, strolling round about, A crowd of kiddies followed me and they began to shout, Any old iron, any old iron, Any any any old iron? You look neat, talk about a treat! You look so dapper from your napper to your feet. Dressed in style, brand-new tile, And your father's old green tie on. But I wouldn't give you tuppence for your old watch and chain, Old iron, old iron. 2. I won't forget the day I went to London on the spree, I saw the mayor of London there, that's who I went to see, He came along in a carriage and a pair, I shouted come on boys, all throw your hats up in the air, Just the the mayor, he began to smile, Pointed to my face and said 'Lor Lummy, what a dial', Started Lord-a-mayoring, and then to my dismay, He pointed to my watch and chain and shouted to me 'Hey' Any old iron . . . . 3. I shan't forget the day I married Miss Elisa Brown' The way the people laughed at me it made me feel a clown, I arrived in a carriage called a hack, When I suddenly discovered I'd my trousers front to back, So I walked down the aisle, dressed in style, The vicar took a look at me and then began to smile, The organ started playing, the bells began to ring, The people started laughing and the choir began to sing Any old iron . . . . kicked the bucket = died derby kell = a portly chest/stomach a swell = a well off gentleman dial = Cockney slang for face