Memories: Minnie Frisby

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

I:11-12

text excerpt

[Minnie Frisby left school around 1889 when she was twelve years old]

But before I leave my school days there are one or two things I want to tell you about ; I think I have said how most of the lads and girls to [sic] were musical and used to play simple instruments such as the concertina; melodion and mouth organs ; I remember we used to have a four sided mouth organ; my brother Will brought it from Birmingham, where he was working now; he also brought my Father a Concertina, which he learnt to play very well; and also taught me, so that at one time I could play it almost as well as anyone and the melodion; my brother Will was quite an expert with the concertina; I will always remember at my sister’s wedding, he went up in the attic at the Cattle Market Tavern, and played the bells, they sounded lovely and caused quite a sensation : (by the way my sister Rose went to keep the Cattle Market Tavern when she was married) yes, and the Jews Harp (we used to hold the Jews Harp between our teeth) was also very popular among the lads and girls, but the only tune I can remember being played on it was: -

“Drive the nail aright boys,

Hit it on the head,

Strike with all your might boys

While the iron is red. 

When you’ve work to do boys

Do it with a will,

He who reaches the top boys

First must climb the hill" 

Yes I am like as if I can see [childhood friend] old Moke playing it now, all on the same note. 

excerpt from 'Memories: Minnie Frisby' pp. I:11-12 (282 words)

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