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Old Clem

In his novel Great Expectations, Charles Dickens refers to a song sung by blacksmiths at the forge “Old Clem,” which plays an important role in the story. It is unclear whether Dickens invented this song or if it already existed; and if it already existed what it sounded like. Here, British poet and musician Jeff Eardley puts the words of Dickens’ song “Old Clem” to music:

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Relevant excerpt from Great Expectations:

There was a song Joe used to hum fragments of at the forge, of which the theme was Old Clem.* This was not a very ceremonious way of rendering homage to a patron saint, but I believe Old Clem stood in that relation towards smiths. It was a song that imitated the measure of beating upon iron, and was a mere lyrical excuse for the introduction of Old Clem’s respected name. Thus, you were to “Hammer boys round—Old Clem! With a thump and a sound—Old Clem! Beat it out, beat it out—Old Clem! With a clink for the stout—Old Clem! Blow the fire, blow the fire—Old Clem! Roaring dryer, soaring higher—Old Clem!” One day soon after the appearance of the chair, Miss Havisham suddenly saying to me, with the impatient movement of her fingers, “There, there, there! Sing!” I was surprised into crooning this ditty as I pushed her over the floor. It happened so to catch her fancy that she took it up in a low brooding voice as if she were singing in her sleep. After that, it became customary with us to have it as we moved about, and Estella would often join in…

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*Old Clem: Saint Clement (35-99 AD), the Christian saint associated with metalworkers and blacksmiths. According to legend, he was forced to work in a quarry by the Romans, where he converted his fellow prisoners. He was martyred by being chained to an anchor and cast into the sea.

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Twanky-Dillo

It is possible that Dickens based “Old Clem” partially on the well-known folk song about a blacksmith called “Twanky-Dillo” that may give some idea of the flavor of the original. The exact origin of this song, too, is unclear and may be onomatopoeia that also refers to Saint Clement; the song was used for celebrations on his feast day on November 23.

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(Source: John Mayberry and Jamie Beaton on “Neither Drunken Nor Sober”)

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Twanky-Dillo

Here’s a health to the jolly blacksmith who’s the best of all fellows,
Who works at his anvil whilst the boy blows the bellows.

Which makes his bright hammer to rise and to fall.
Here’s to old Cole and to young Cole and to old Cole of all.
Twanky dillo, twanky dillo, twanky dillo, dillo, dillo, dillo,
And the roaring pair o’ bagpipes made from the green willow.

If a gentleman calls, his horse for to shoe,
He makes no denial of one pot or two …

Which makes his bright hammer to rise and to fall.
Here’s to old Cole and to young Cole and to old Cole of all.
Twanky dillo, twanky dillo, twanky dillo, dillo, dillo, dillo,
And the roaring pair o’ bagpipes made from the green willow.

Here’s a health to King Charlie and likewise his Queen
And to all the Royal little-ones wherever they are seen …

Which makes his bright hammer to rise and to fall.
Here’s to old Cole and to young Cole and to old Cole of all.
Twanky dillo, twanky dillo, twanky dillo, dillo, dillo, dillo,
And the roaring pair o’ bagpipes made from the green willow.

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Jeff Eardley lives in the heart of England near to the Peak District National Park and is a local musician playing guitar, mandolin and piano steeped in the music of America, including the likes of Ry Cooder, Paul Simon, and particularly Hank Williams.

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15 Responses

  1. Brian A. Yapko

    Very enjoyable work, Jeff! I read Great Expectations 40 years ago and have no memory of this lyric-fragment so “Old Clem” is obscure for me — and yet most welcome! The music you’ve composed is perfect — it has a fine mid 19th Century sound to it. What a great project you’ve taken on! Shakespeare, of course, has many prop songs in his plays that have been musicalized but I’ve never before heard Dickens! What other plot-driven original lyrics in literature are out there waiting to be set?

    Reply
    • Jeff Eardley

      Thank you Brian. This was somewhat of a challenge from Evan. Perhaps a new career beckons. Best wishes to you.

      Reply
  2. Paul Freeman

    Thanks for bringing a piece of historic literature to life, Jeff. Well sung, indeed.

    Reply
  3. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    Jeff, what a thoroughly entertaining treat to wake up to! I love Dickensian characters and you lift Old Clem to new heights with your beautiful song. There is an annual “Dickens on The Strand” festival around Christmas in Galveston Texas. Those dressing up in Victorian costumes are admitted for half price. Members of Charles Dickens’ family come to read his works and there are stalls of English fayre everywhere… roast chestnuts and all. Jeff, I have a vision of you there brightening the Winter skies with your song.

    Reply
    • Jeff Eardley

      Susan, when I was a youngster in the 60’s, the answer to the question, “What do you think of Dickens?” was usually, “I don’t know, I’ve never been to one.” I am just heading to the loft to dig out the Scrooge costume before booking an economy flight to Galveston. Thanks for the comment.

      Reply
  4. Roy Eugene Peterson

    Jeff, you have brought to life some obscure music with a strength of voice that echoes like it must have done in the past for streetcorner listeners. Thank you for posting these interesting songs from the time of Dickens.

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    • Jeff Eardley

      Thanks for the comment Roy. A friend of mine used to sing Twankydillo in folk clubs. It always went down well with audiences. I suppose Dickens must have heard so much street music. Best wishes to you.

      Reply
  5. Joseph S. Salemi

    These are precious artifacts rescued from the past. Every little piece of saved culture saves our identity. Many thanks, Jeff.

    Reply
    • Jeff Eardley

      Thanks Joseph. My first attempt sounded like the English band “Blur.” Evan was right in asking me to think again. Your kind words are much appreciated.

      Reply
  6. Margaret Coats

    Jeff, good catch of a song embedded in a novel! And knowledge of music and music history to assist your creativity in rendering it so well. I’m wondering about Twanky-Dillo and the health to King Charlie and his queen and all the royal little ones. Do you think this is Charles I, the only one with royal children borne by his queen? A wish for more Stuart progeny in later times, or just a random regal name with no historical reference?

    Reply
  7. Jeff Eardley

    Margaret, thanks for taking the time to comment. This was an idea driven by Evan that led me to “Twankydillo.” I suppose in years to come it might apply to CharlesIII who is very much in our thoughts at the moment. Best wishes to you.

    Reply
  8. James A. Tweedie

    Nice song, well composed, well sung, and well played (especially the guitar solo). Clever and successful resurrection of an obscure bit of literary trivia.

    Re Twanky Dillow, I share an interest in Margaret’s question about “King Charlie.” The Bonnie Prince had no children and I don’t recall Charles I or II being called by the affectionate diminutive, “Charlie.” Charles I had a half dozen or so legitimate children so the reference is possible. Charles II had at least 14 illegitimate children, all recognized and titled (no legitimate ones) and with his lack of popularity and short first reign the reference could be a sarcasm, one that could have also referenced his more successful reign after the Restoration.

    In any case a good post and kudos to Jeff for sharing a piece of his seemingly boundless talent.

    Reply
    • Joseph S. Salemi

      Fourteen illegitimate kids? Wow. At least kings knew how to sow their seed widely back then.

      Reply
  9. Jeff Eardley

    Thanks Jim for your most generous comment. The army of the Bonnie Prince passed through our village in the winter of 1745/1746. We have a lonely moorland Inn called the Royal Cottage that hosted soldiers from the Jacobite army. On my last visit, the landlady remarked that one of her oak settles dates back to then and is “at least a hundred years old.”
    Twankydillo was a most popular song in the “finger in the ear” folk clubs of the 70’s. It is a rousing piece, with great harmonies.

    Reply

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