Pikes Party 1978 Song

In Brief

This song marks a water shed moment. Until and including this party our parents, in an ad hoc way, arranged the family party with the men funding it and providing the beer whilst the women provided the venue, food, other drinks etc. Family members young and old entertained with various individual songs and other activities. Our Sires however had also arranged that this party would be kept secret from Bill (also from the Pikes and their families) as he had retired. Ray took Bill out to celebrate intending to end up at the party. A lookout was kept and when Ray and Bill were spotted we all kept quiet. Bill entered to a surprise. The Pikes had together written this parady with a separate verse for each of our Sires siblings beginning with the youngest Jean. This was the first ever rendition of a group Pike song which became a family tradition from then on. Our parents became aware that the Pikehands had, at last, become responsible.

To the tune of, "These Hard Times" --- By All the Pikes

Jeannie Stone
It's well known
Once traced the root of the family tree
The family you see
Were Knights in the West Country
It's so tough
And so rough
She discoved that once a night was enough
And found when she got home
Each Knight had turned to Stone
In these hard times you've got to put up with anything
In these hard times you just can't pick or choose
Now there's a lot of silver plate
But then they went and hocked it mate
The Stones had come ten years too late
In these hard times

Evelyn she has been
An usherette and a beauty queen
At her age on the stage
She used to be the rage
Could she act
Is that a fact
Did she ever get off the stage intact
That's something we don't know
We never saw the show
In these hard times you've got to put up with anything
In these hard times you just can't pick or choose
Now Evelyn's acting days are through
Cinderella's found her shoe
She's even got an upstairs loo
In these hard times

Aunty Lil
She will still
Make a hat from Cavalry Twill
Or anything you've got
Just hand it straight to Dot
She will make
No mistake
In head gear for the discerning rake
Or quickly sew a cap
For any hard up chap
In these hard times you've got to put up with anything
In these hard times you just can't pick or choose
If your down trodden and forlorn
And if your hat is sadly worn
She'll get her weasel out of pawn
In these hard times

Sister Mais
On Sundays
Was wont to follow the cricket craze
The team were looking for a
Girl who would be scorer
Rain or shine
Wet or fine
Book in hand at the boundary line
When fathers played the sons
Our Maisie got the runs
In these hard times you've got to put up with anything
In these hard times you just can't pick or choose
Now sixteen's simply four times four
And if Nick Cullen has any more
We'll shout out "Maisie, what's the score?"
Nil-Nil ---- Who to
In these hard times

Here's Jack Stone
On the throne
A pint of Guiness and he's at home
He often seems quite mellow
But he's a jolly fellow
His local pub
This drinking club
Ran out of Guiness and here's the rub
We said now Jack don't twitter
Make do with Mild and bitter
In these hard times you've got to put up with anything
In these hard times you just can't pick or choose
Now things have come to such a pass
And Jack you've got an empty glass
So just don't sit there on your chair
In these hard times

Bill's the one
We've not done
So come and sit over here old here old son
The sky's no longer grey
Since your retirement day
Whisky's here and there's beer
We'll drink your health and wish you good cheer
If headache's what you get
It's something that you ate
In these good times, you don't have to go to work again
In these good times, you now do as you choose
You don't have to catch the five past eight
And never more will you clock in late
So put up your feet and enjoy it mate
In these good times