Tim Jones & The Dark Lanterns

 

Note that the first verse is a little longer than the others, and we put a little
minor instrumental verse in after the doctor turns up on the recording.


       D            G        D                 A
It was on an August Holiday, all the boys were there
D                   G                 D       A   D
We’d been out since 10 o’clock at the Arms in Aberdare
    D                G           D               A
Now Jones was sat up at the bar, he’d not said a word
D              G                 D         A        D
We were at the pool table when a great big crash we heard
    D              G               D                A
Now hearing such a mighty sound we turned around to see
D                    G                D       A        D
Jones was lying in a pile of glass as dead as he could be

G         D                           A
Oh what a terrible sight, what a tragedy
D (one strum)  G (one strum)D            A      D
I’ve still got half a pint, let’s do the decent thing (pick him up)
D                            G          D                   A
Pick him up, pick him up and carry him, put him in the back room
D                     G            D          A        D
He’s not dead till we say he is so let’s keep drinking through

Now in and comes Jones’ wife with a cleaver in her hand
Saying ‘he has taken all the rent, will you help me find that man?’
Oh he has not been in this pub, no not at all today
If we catch one sight of him, we’ll send him back your way

Well I don’t believe you boys, he is surely here
Take me into your back room and then we’ll get things clear (pick him up)
Pick him up, pick him up and carry him, put him in the old ty bach
He’s not dead till we say he is, till they’ve burned him in Glyntaff

Next up comes the policeman he’s knocking at our door
Says ‘I’m looking for a man and his name is Jones, he’s wanted by the law!’
Oh he has not been in this pub, no not at all today
If we catch one sight of him, we’ll send him back your way

Well I don’t believe you boys, he is surely here
Take me into your ty bach and then we’ll get things clear (pick him up)
Pick him up, pick him up and carry him, take him out to the yard
He’s not dead till we say he is, while there’s hands behind the bar

Now in and comes the doctor, his face is red with sin
Said ‘I hadn’t finished stitching old Jones up before he slipped out for a drink’
Oh he has not been in this pub, no not at all today
If we catch one sight of him, we’ll send him back your way

Well I don’t believe you boys, he is surely here
Take me into your yard and then we’ll get things clear (pick him up)
Pick him up, pick him up and carry him, take him out to the road
He’s not dead till we say he is, at least till his eyes are closed

So we all went out into the yard the doctor close behind
The police man chasing after us, followed by Jones’ wife
And as we looked down the road, who there did we see?
Jones was in the off-license, live as you or me!

Oh you did not believe us boys, but you got the whole thing wrong
He has not been in this pub, he’s been out there all along (pick him up)
Pick him up, pick him up and carry him, you can take him home
He’s not dead till we say he is, at least till the drink’s all gone (pick him up)
Pick him up, pick him up and carry him, you can take him home
He’s not dead till we say he is, at least till the drink’s all gone