I am looking for an English folk song which is possibly titled "My Old
Man". The lyrics go: "My old man spent 18 years in a coalpit" (to the
best of my knowledge). There are SEVERAL songs listed on the internet
entitled "My Old Man"--some are even folk songs. None match up with
the lyrics above, however. Where can I find the song I seek?

Hello again TallyHawk

I'm really pleased you found those links helpful, and I congratulate
you on finding a copy of the song so quickly!

Thank you for inviting me to put my research in the official answer box.

Since you liked Probonopublico's Dustman song, I thought you might be
interested to learn there was an earlier version with the line, "He
wears gorblimey trousers an' a little gorblimey 'at."
http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?hl=en&q=%22gorblimey%20trousers%22%20%22gorblimey%20hat%20OR%20at%22&btnG=Search&sa=N&tab=wg

Always glad to meet a new user of Google Answers.

Best wishes - Leli


Just for the record, here are the links again.

My old man worked for 18 years in a coal pit.
My old man's a joke
working for the company three cheers for my old man. 
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.fan.david-bowie/browse_thread/thread/29334d9a1e6fc1e2/2815d837f2f3fd8c?lnk=st&q=%22three+cheers+for+my+old+man%22&rnum=1&hl=en#2815d837f2f3fd8c

Three cheers for my old man
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.fan.cfny/browse_thread/thread/a26b3dfa48e8f7e5/0365bc67fc24fce1?lnk=st&q=%22three+cheers+for+my+old+man%22&rnum=2&hl=en#0365bc67fc24fce1

"My Old Man's A Joke"
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.music.alternative/browse_thread/thread/c9f9e6af4f9c7e75/fe8664edee30afc0?lnk=st&q=%22my+old+man's+a+joke%22&rnum=3&hl=en#fe8664edee30afc0
://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=%22my%20old%20man's%20a%20joke%22&qt_s=Search&sa=N&tab=gw

'Essay, My Dad' 
http://www.cosmik.com/aa-may01/john-vs-pig.html

Search strategy:

Trying bits of your clue on Google Groups and following the trail.
(You will already have discovered that Nobby Clegg is spelt in various ways.)

Is this it?

My Old Man's a Dustman
He wears a Dustman's hat
He wears Cor Blimey trousers
And he lives in a Council Flat.

My mother used to sing this to me when she was drunk and when I was a babe in arms.

Hello tallyhawk 

These links may help.

My old man worked for 18 years in a coal pit.
My old man's a joke
working for the company three cheers for my old man. 
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.fan.david-bowie/browse_thread/thread/29334d9a1e6fc1e2/2815d837f2f3fd8c?lnk=st&q=%22three+cheers+for+my+old+man%22&rnum=1&hl=en#2815d837f2f3fd8c

Three cheers for my old man
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.fan.cfny/browse_thread/thread/a26b3dfa48e8f7e5/0365bc67fc24fce1?lnk=st&q=%22three+cheers+for+my+old+man%22&rnum=2&hl=en#0365bc67fc24fce1

"My Old Man's A Joke"
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.music.alternative/browse_thread/thread/c9f9e6af4f9c7e75/fe8664edee30afc0?lnk=st&q=%22my+old+man's+a+joke%22&rnum=3&hl=en#fe8664edee30afc0
://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=%22my%20old%20man's%20a%20joke%22&qt_s=Search&sa=N&tab=gw

'Essay, My Dad' 
http://www.cosmik.com/aa-may01/john-vs-pig.html

If you would like a researcher to try tracking down a copy of the
album which has this song, please add a clarification to your
question. Some of my colleagues are brilliant at that kind of search -
though I suspect this could be a tough challenge.

Best wishes - Leli

probonopublico: Since your post, I've listened to the song of which
you spoke, and it is a good one. It's not the one I'm looking for,
however. Thanks for taking the time to post, though, I'm glad you did.
What an interesting tune you quoted!

Leli: Those were some good clues, and they've set me on a different
course toward finding my song. If that course fails, I'll have you
consult your colleagues. If it is successful, then I shall owe you a
debt. Thanks for the insight.

Leli: I've located (and now possess) this song, already, based on your
post. How should I pay you your 5 dollars? I am quite new to GA. Let
me know.
-TallyHawk

Hi Tallyhawk

I'm so pleased that you've found what you want.

What happens next is that Leli will now post an Answer.

Afterwards, when you go into your GA Account you will be advised that
your Question 'needs attention'.

This is your cue to Rate Leli's Answer (by awarding a number of stars)
and, if you are so inclined, to also add a tip.

As Leli is a Scottish lassie it is quite likely that she is out
tossing the caber at this time in the morning and you may also have to
wait until after she has eaten her porridge and practised her
bagpipes.

Bryan

Well then, given Leli's propensity to toss cabers late in the evening
and practice her bagpipes immediately thereafter (hopefully her
practices of tossing cabers and playing bagpipes are not simultaneous
events), I will resign myself to wait for her answer. I also hope that
her porridge goes down the right pipe--if not, she might cough a great
deal.

Thanks, probonopublico.

-TallyHawk

Thank you!

I'm glad you ended up with your song.

Leli