Clock In The Biscuit Tin

Album: The Singing Postman (1964)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a typical Allan Smethurst composition; accompanying himself on his acoustic guitar he relates an undoubtedly true and somewhat humorous story. Written in waltz time, "Clock In The Biscuit Tin" begins "My granny once had an old biscuit tin."

    "Granny" was actually his great-grandmother; she is also featured in his uptempo song "Moind Yer Hid Boy."

    Unsurprisingly, a ticking clock placed in a small tin echoes mightily, which was probably the inspiration for the song, but as well as annoying him, it drove away the rats under the floorboards, and when the old woman died, she left him the clock.
  • Smethurst uses a little poetic license with the line "My granny died the day I was wed"; in spite of his talents and amiable nature, the Singing Postman was physically unprepossessing and died unmarried at the age of 73 after spending the last 20 years of his life in a Salvation Army hostel in "Grimsby," the fishing port immortalized by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Daniel Lanois

Daniel LanoisSongwriter Interviews

Daniel Lanois on his album Heavy Sun, and the inside stories of songs he produced for U2, Peter Gabriel, and Bob Dylan.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.