Hole In The Ground

Album: The Very Best Of Bernard Cribbins (1962)
Charted: 9
Play Video

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

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

dUg Pinnick of King's X

dUg Pinnick of King's XSongwriter Interviews

dUg dIgs into his King's X metal classics and his many side projects, including the one with Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam.

Motley Crue

Motley CrueFact or Fiction

Was Dr. Feelgood a dentist? Did the "Crüecifixion" really happen?

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal Tap

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal TapSong Writing

Based on criteria like girlfriend tension, stage mishaps and drummer turnover, these are the 10 bands most like Spinal Tap.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.