Central School Document Library

That song in full …

By Ron Adamson (from original pages of the DET sent to me by Neville Foster.)
DERBY EVENING TELEGRAPH, Tuesday, January 20, 1998

It was with some amazement that I read in last Tuesday's Bygones the refrain from a skit on the teaching staff at Derby Central School.

I have retained a full copy of the original which was composed with much glee by boys in Form 5, and encouraged by their English Master Ron Cook in 1944 or 1945. The song was first sung at a Christmas Show/ Party in the then School Dinner Room in the Coach House in Darley Court Yard. It must have subsequently been used by 'Adge' Elsey at the later date of' 1947 or 48. I remember composing one of the verses - possibly Verse 5.

The subject of the verse - Miss Evelyn Wood - was principal French teacher in the school. She was a lady of very high standards and of rather dour demeanour. Woe betide the boy who failed to live up to her expectations or to hand in his homework! How she got me through School Certificate French I shall never know!

Ron Cook, English master, was a great encouragement to me and to many others, and later in life became a firm friend since both he and I were Scoutmasters, his troop being 105 YMCA.

He was also an excellent photographer and many of the photographs you have published were, I am sure, his handiwork.

Mr Jarvis, PT, was somewhat feared; he was a large man, authoritarian in style, but anxious to get the best out of some pretty rough talent at times. My interest was athletics and cross country running and, with great encouragement, I found speed and stamina I had not thought to possess.

This was a great school and the difficulties faced in poor accommodation but splendid surroundings served the more to produce results in its pupils, who now remember it with great pride.

Ron Cook's photographs were often used it the Bygones published several years ago as smaller pieces in the Telegraph. Here are some more which readers may enjoy, [space limits these to two this week - but I shall include more from this wonderful collection in future issue - Ed.]

Ron Adamson, Form 5, Central School (now retired!), Normanton

Now here's the song!

Up at Darley, or The Schoolboy's Refrain
(to be sung to the tune of Clementine)

CHORUS:
Up at Darley, up at Darley,
Many funny folks there be.
They get thinner every dinner
But they make it up at tea.

1
Mr Morris, Mr Morris,
Noted for his dainty feet,
Irritates his ducks and drakes's
In a verse both low and sweet.

2
Six foot tall is Mr Poole Sir
But he is not very wide;
His pet creed is Archimedes
Don't he know that bloke 'as died.

3
Alus yellin' at our spellin',
That is long legged Mr Cook;
And his Shakespeare makes us ache-hear,
Can't he choose a decent book?

4
Slim and winsome, Mr Simpson,
Tootling on his piccolo;
Makes Form Two sing to his music
Dol Sol Fah, Soh Ray, Me Doh.

5
Si vous parlez tout en Franglais
You will sure to please Miss Wood
Give her ten pound for her ship fund
Then your French marks will be good.

6
Mr Bennett, Mr Bennett,
With his tin box for his dough;
Hear those pennies dropping in it
Where do - oo those pennies go?

7
Mr Elsey, Mr Elsey,
Plays at any sort of game;
And at Geog O, what a slogo,
The way he treats us is a shame.

8
What a star is Mr Jarvis,
At PT he is a wow;
Have a gasper, dear old Jasper ;
Stop and wipe your sweaty brow.

9
Now the best'un, Mr Weston,
Tells us how the nations grew;
What a mystery is his history
For it ends at Waterloo.

10
When these teachers fail to please us
Off we go to Mr Swaine;
He's parental, kind and gentle,
Never known to give the cane.

11
Till next term boys, till next term boys
Cheerio and lots of cheer;
Merry Xmas, may God bless us
With a prosperous New Year.