I Haven't Told Her...

...and she hasn't told me (but we know it just the same). What a song! I know it sounds like something Wodehouse's Wooster would play to Jeeves, but I just can't get it out of my head! Local hero Martin Carthy (I must devote a whole blog to this guy, who along with Nic Jones really define Folk music in my opinion) and Dave Swarbrick recorded it live on Danish TV (!) in 1965, it's included in the Carthy Chronicles, and I've put it up below in its full black and white glory (the poor sound is actually from the original video). Don't just listen to it once, it's short, give it a chance: now, isn't that a grower?

So! Who wrote it? Is it traditional, did George Formby write it or should credit go to a trio of unknowns by the names of Al Dubin, Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal? What's most irritating is George Formby is most famous for singing it, yet it doesn't seem to be on any record he ever made! To sort this out, I've e-mailed the webmaster of the George Formby Society, (can John sink any lower into unhip "sad"ness?) - perhaps he can shed a little light. I mean, come on, you can find versions online by Peter Sellers, Guy Lombardo and our local plucker Benjamin Wetherill, but not a word (well, JUST the words, you can find lyrics alongside Formby's name, so we know he sang it!) about any Formby recording, let alone any clips of one.

I await with bated breath the reply to my e-mail...