They Laughed When I Started To Play

Formby George

Now when I learned to play the ukulele, 
I used to practice day and night. 
My pals all roared as I fumbled at a chord, 
But I couldn't get the darned thing right. 

They laughed when I started to play, they laughed so hearty. 
Only two lessons I had, I went up the scale and down the scale, 
It wasn't so bad 
But one chap, he said "Oh what a mug, why you can't learn that way" 
He took the uke off me and said "Now I'll have a try" 
Just then the 'G' string bust and flew right into his eye. 
He laughed when I started to play, but he didn't laugh again all day 

Oh they laughed when I started to play, oh they laughed so hearty 
Strip poker that's a good game, 
Once I lost my trousers to a gambling dame 
But when, I started shuffling the cards, then the luck came my way. 
I won a frock and undies, she was left I declare 
As bare as any savage and as savages are bear 
She laughed when I started to play, 
But she didn't laugh again that day. 

Now once I watched a game of water polo, 
With players from a ladies school. 
The girls all cried "Won't you make up a side?" 
So I dashed into the bathing pool. 
They laughed when I started to play, oh how they laughed so hearty. 
In goal, I paddled about, a big ball in the water soon I started to clout. 
Each time, that it came bobbing back, well I smacked it away. 
Just then the ball turned over and a girl said "No larks", 
"Seven times you've hit me where I can't show the marks." 
She laughed when I started to play, 
But she didn't laugh again that day.