Henry's Songbook

Chorus:
It's twelve and a tanner a bottle
That's what it's costin' today
Twelve and a tanner a bottle
Man it tak's a' your pleasure away
Afore ye can hae a wee drappie
You have to spend a' that you've got
How can a fella be happy
When happiness costs such a lot

It's really high time something is done
To alter the way the country is run
They're no daein' things the way that they should
Just take for instance the price of the food

There's taxes on this, taxes on that
While the people grow lean, the officials grow fat
You have to admit it's a bit underhand
Puttin' a tax on the breath of the land

I used to meet old pals o' mine
When whisky was cheap, went doon like wine
Noo I don't see them I'm sorry to tell
I slip roon' the corner and drink by masel'

(as sung by Hamish Imlach)

[1986:] On 19 April 1920, the price of a bottle of whisky rose from ten shillings and sixpence to twelve and six. On 27 September 1939 the price rose again, this time to fourteen shillings and threepence. The song was obviously made during that period. (MacColl/Seeger, Doomsday 274)