Hole In The Ground

Album: The Very Best Of Bernard Cribbins (1962)
Charted: 9
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Songfacts®:

  • This short novelty song - under two minutes in length - is a mini satire on the perceived class division of British society, something which was still fairly pronounced here in the early 60s. A workman is digging a hole when a man wearing a bowler hat - obviously a stereotype 1960s civil servant - walks up and proceeds to lecture him on how he should be doing it. The workman objects, and gives the busybody a piece of his mind in a whimsical manner. The song has a surprising and equally humorous if somewhat drastic ending.
  • Cribbins, a trained actor, portrays both protagonists masterfully. This Ted Dicks/Myles Rudge composition was their follow up to "Folk Song," which launched him on his albeit transient singing career. Recorded on the Beatles label Parlophone with an accompaniment directed by Gordon Franks, and sound effects, it was released as the A side of "Winkle Picker Shoes," and also as an EP which included "Folk Song."
  • The title on the record is "The Hole In The Ground" but the title on the sheet music is "Hole In The Ground." It was published by Noel Gay Music Co Ltd of London, Copyright 1962, and retailed for 2s6d. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for all above

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