Dave Goulder
Am C G Am
The January man he goes around in woolen coat and boots of leather
C Am G Am
The February man still shakes the snow from of his clothes and blows his hands
Am C (play different bass lines) G
The man of March he sees the Spring and wonders what the year will bring
Am
and hopes for better weather.
Through April rain the man goes down to watch the birds come in to share the summer
The man of May stands very still to watch the children dance away the day
In June the man inside the man is young and wants to lend a hand
and smiles at each new comer.
In July the man in cotton short he sits and thinks and being idle
The August man in thousands take the road to find the sun and watch the sea
September man is standing near to saddle up another year
And Autumn is his bridle
The man of new October takes the rain and early frost is on his shoulder
The poor November man sees fire and mist and wind and rain and winter ere
December man looks through the snow to let eleven brothers know
They’re all a little older
The January man he comes around again in coat and boots of leather
To take another turn and walk along the icy roads he knows so well
The January man is here the start of each and every year
Along the road forever
If memory serves me right I met the author when I played the auld triangle folk club in Edinburgh in the late 60s.I seem to recall hearing the song from Derek McEwan, my old companero, in Rochdale when we were billetted together for a spell of madness.We dwelt above a fruit and veg shop so movements were extremely regular and anything not sold was turned into wine.I recall a lovely drop of parsnip at Xmas ’68 and a rogueish little carrot the following easter.Usually it tasted better if preceeded by 12-14 pints of John Willie Lees best bitter from nearby Midleton brewery.Ay Up our Kid