Clock In The Biscuit Tin

Album: The Singing Postman (1964)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a typical Allan Smethurst composition; accompanying himself on his acoustic guitar he relates an undoubtedly true and somewhat humorous story. Written in waltz time, "Clock In The Biscuit Tin" begins "My granny once had an old biscuit tin."

    "Granny" was actually his great-grandmother; she is also featured in his uptempo song "Moind Yer Hid Boy."

    Unsurprisingly, a ticking clock placed in a small tin echoes mightily, which was probably the inspiration for the song, but as well as annoying him, it drove away the rats under the floorboards, and when the old woman died, she left him the clock.
  • Smethurst uses a little poetic license with the line "My granny died the day I was wed"; in spite of his talents and amiable nature, the Singing Postman was physically unprepossessing and died unmarried at the age of 73 after spending the last 20 years of his life in a Salvation Army hostel in "Grimsby," the fishing port immortalized by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.