# Bert Lee

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English musical artist (1880–1946)

For other people named Bert Lee, see [Bert Lee (disambiguation)](/source/Bert_Lee_(disambiguation)).

Bert Lee Born William Herbert Lee (1880-06-11)11 June 1880 Ravensthorpe, Yorkshire, England Died 23 January 1946(1946-01-23) (aged 65) Llandudno, Caernarfonshire, Wales Genres Music hall Occupation Songwriter Years active 1910–c.1940

Musical artist

**William Herbert Lee** (11 June 1880 – 23 January 1946) was an English songwriter. He wrote for [music hall](/source/Music_hall) and the musical stage, often in partnership with [R. P. Weston](/source/R._P._Weston).

## Life and career

Lee was born in [Ravensthorpe](/source/Ravensthorpe%2C_Dewsbury), [Yorkshire](/source/West_Yorkshire), [England](/source/England).[1][2] He played organ in his local chapel as a child, and initially worked as a [piano tuner](/source/Piano_tuner) in [Manchester](/source/Manchester), before joining a travelling [concert party](/source/Concert_party_(entertainment)) as a pianist.[3][4] His first successful song as a writer was "Joshu-ah!", co-written with [George Arthurs](/source/George_Arthurs) and performed by [Clarice Mayne](/source/Clarice_Mayne) in 1910. He found further success in 1913 with "[Hello! Hello! Who's Your Lady Friend?](/source/Hello!_Hello!_Who's_Your_Lady_Friend%3F)", written with [Worton David](/source/Worton_David) and the song's performer, [Harry Fragson](/source/Harry_Fragson).[4]

In 1915, music publisher David Day, of [Francis, Day and Hunter](/source/Francis%2C_Day_and_Hunter), introduced Lee to [R. P. Weston](/source/R._P._Weston), the collaborator with whom Lee had the most lasting relationship.[1] They immediately found success together with "[Lloyd George's Beer Song](/source/Lloyd_George's_Beer_Song)" (1915), "[Good-bye-ee!](/source/Good-bye-ee!)" (1917, made popular by Florrie Forde),[1] and "[Paddy McGinty's Goat](/source/Paddy_McGinty's_Goat)", revived by [Val Doonican](/source/Val_Doonican) in 1964. They worked together over the next twenty years on some 3000 songs and [monologues](/source/Monologue), 75 stage shows and musicals, and 17 films, as well as for [pantomimes](/source/Pantomime) and radio shows.[4] As well as songs for revues, notably those produced by [Lupino Lane](/source/Lupino_Lane), they wrote [sketches](/source/Sketch_(comedy)) for such stars as [Fred Karno](/source/Fred_Karno), [Robb Wilton](/source/Robb_Wilton) and [Wee Georgie Wood](/source/Wee_Georgie_Wood).[4] Their collaborations were conducted in Weston's house in [Twickenham](/source/Twickenham). They kept office hours, met every day and aimed to write at least one song each day.[5] Both Lee and Weston wrote both words and music,[4] but according to Lee: "Bob [Weston] has the brains. I put the laughs in."[1][6]

In the 1920s, Weston and Lee wrote for many theatre productions, and adapted many American productions for the British stage. In 1926, they started working with theatre producers Jack Waller and Joe Tunbridge, and wrote several musical comedies together, mostly featuring the comedian [Bobby Howes](/source/Bobby_Howes). They also worked with [Gracie Fields](/source/Gracie_Fields) and the [Crazy Gang](/source/Crazy_Gang_(comedy_group)). They wrote the popular monologue "[My Word, You Do Look Queer](/source/My_Word%2C_You_Do_Look_Queer)", first recorded by [Ernest Hastings](/source/Ernest_Hastings) in 1922 and later popularised by [Stanley Holloway](/source/Stanley_Holloway).[4] Weston and Lee wrote several of [Holloway's monologues](/source/Songs_and_monologues_of_Stanley_Holloway) in the 1930s. Together with Weston's son Harris Weston (born Robert Edgar Harris, 1901–1978),[7] they wrote Holloway's 1934 monologue "[With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm](/source/With_Her_Head_Tucked_Underneath_Her_Arm)", about the ghost of [Anne Boleyn](/source/Anne_Boleyn) haunting the [Tower of London](/source/Tower_of_London), seeking revenge on [Henry VIII](/source/Henry_VIII_of_England) for having her beheaded.[1][8]

The duo also wrote music for film, including the book and lyrics for *O-kay for Sound*, a 1937 film.[9] Much of their music was written specifically for actors [Sydney Howard](/source/Sydney_Howard) and Stanley Holloway, both noted comedians of the 1920s and 1930s. These included "Splinters in the Air" for Howard and "Squibs" for Holloway.[10] Among Lee's most enduring tunes is "[Knees Up Mother Brown](/source/Knees_Up_Mother_Brown)", which is traditionally associated with [Cockney](/source/Cockney) culture. This was written in 1938 in collaboration with R. P. Weston's son, Harris Weston. In 1938, Lee and Harris Weston co-wrote the hit [stage revue](/source/Stage_revue) *[These Foolish Things](/source/These_Foolish_Things_(revue))* which starred [The Crazy Gang](/source/Crazy_Gang_(comedy_group)) and the [Sherman Fisher Girls](/source/Sherman_Fisher_Girls). The same year Lee contributed to the musical *[The Fleet's Lit Up](/source/The_Fleet's_Lit_Up)*.

In 1939, Lee and his wife went on holiday to [Llandudno](/source/Llandudno) in [north Wales](/source/North_Wales), and at the outbreak of the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War) decided to settle in the town.[3] He died there in January 1946, aged 65.[11]

## Select filmography (as writer)

- *[Yes, Madam?](/source/Yes%2C_Madam%3F)* (1939)

- *[Hold My Hand](/source/Hold_My_Hand_(film))* (1938)

- *[Splinters in the Air](/source/Splinters_in_the_Air)* (1937)

- *[Fame](/source/Fame_(1936_film))* (1936)

- *[Squibs](/source/Squibs_(1935_film))* (1935)

- *[Where's George?](/source/Where's_George%3F_(film))* (1935)

- *[Girls, Please!](/source/Girls%2C_Please!)* (1934)

- *[It's a Cop](/source/It's_a_Cop)* (1934)

- *[This Is the Life](/source/This_Is_the_Life_(1933_film))* (1933)

- *[Up for the Derby](/source/Up_for_the_Derby)* (1933)

- *[It's a King](/source/It's_a_King)* (1933)

- *[Trouble](/source/Trouble_(1933_film))* (1933)

- *[The Mayor's Nest](/source/The_Mayor's_Nest)* (1932)

- *[Up for the Cup](/source/Up_for_the_Cup_(1931_film))* (1931)

- *[Splinters in the Navy](/source/Splinters_in_the_Navy)* (1931)

- *[No Lady](/source/No_Lady)* (1931)

## Selected stage works

- *[He Wanted Adventure](/source/He_Wanted_Adventure)* (1933)

- *[These Foolish Things](/source/These_Foolish_Things_(revue))* (1938)

## Songs (partial list)

- 1910 "Joshua" w.m [George Arthurs](/source/George_Arthurs) & Bert Lee

- 1912 "[Hello, Hello, Who's Your Lady Friend?](/source/Hello%2C_Hello%2C_Who's_Your_Lady_Friend%3F)" w.m. [Harry Fragson](/source/Harry_Fragson), [Worton David](/source/Worton_David) & Bert Lee

- 1915 "[Lloyd George's Beer Song](/source/Lloyd_George's_Beer_Song)" with [R. P. Weston](/source/R._P._Weston)

- 1916 "At Finnigan's Ball" w.m. Bert Lee

- 1916 "Blighty, the Soldier's Home Sweet Home" w.m. [R.P. Weston](/source/R._P._Weston) & Bert Lee[12]

- 1917 "[Paddy McGinty's Goat](/source/Paddy_McGinty's_Goat)" w.m. R.P. Weston, Bert Lee & [The Two Bobs](/source/The_Two_Bobs)

- 1917 "[Good-bye-ee!](/source/Good-bye-ee!)" w.m. [R. P. Weston](/source/R._P._Weston) & Bert Lee

- 1919 "It's Hard to Settle Down to Civilian Life Once More" w.m. [R.P Weston](/source/R._P._Weston) & Bert Lee[12]

- 1920 "The Gipsy Warned Me" w.m. R. P. Weston & Bert Lee

- 1921 "You're Well Dressed If You're Wearing a Smile" w.m. R. P. Weston & Bert Lee

- 1922 "[My Word You Do Look Queer](/source/My_Word_You_Do_Look_Queer)" w.m. R. P. Weston & Bert Lee

- 1926 "The Tears Shed in London Tonight" w.m. R. P. Weston & Bert Lee

- 1926 "[What I Want is a Proper Cup of Coffee](/source/Proper_Cup_of_Coffee)" w.m. R. P. Weston & Bert Lee

- 1928 "All Mine" Douglas Furber, R. P. Weston, Bert Lee m. Jack Waller & Joseph Tunbridge from the Musical *[Virginia](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Virginia_(musical)&action=edit&redlink=1)*

- 1932 "Sing, Brothers" w. Bert Lee & R. P. Weston m. Jack Waller & Joseph Tunbridge from the Musical *[Tell Her the Truth](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tell_Her_the_Truth&action=edit&redlink=1)*

- 1932 "Horrortorio" w. Bert Lee & R. P. Weston m. Jack Waller & Joseph Tunbridge from the Musical *Tell Her the Truth*

- 1934 "[With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm](/source/With_Her_Head_Tucked_Underneath_Her_Arm)" w.m. [R. P. Weston](/source/R._P._Weston) & Bert Lee

- 1936 "And The Great Big Saw Came Nearer And Nearer" w.m. Robert E. Harris, Dwight B. Latham, Bert Lee & R. P. Weston

- 1938 "[Knees Up Mother Brown](/source/Knees_Up_Mother_Brown)" w.m. Harris Weston & Bert Lee

- 1940 "Brahn Boots" w.m. R. P. Weston & Bert Lee

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-baker_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-baker_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-baker_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-baker_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-baker_1-4) Richard Anthony Baker, *British Music Hall: an illustrated history*, Pen & Sword, 2014, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-78383-118-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-78383-118-0), pp.145–146

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bert_Lee_I_2-0)** ["Bert Lee"](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0496869/). IMDb. Retrieved 14 July 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-theatrephile_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-theatrephile_3-1) Roy Hudd, "R. P. Weston and Bert Lee, 'A Song a Day'", *Theatrephile*, vol. 2 no.6, 1985, pp.55–58

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-white_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-white_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-white_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-white_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-white_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-white_4-5) White, Mark (1983). *"You Must Remember This...": Popular Songwriters 1900–1980*. London: Frederick Warne. pp. 238–242. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7232-3177-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7232-3177-X).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Russell, Dave. *Popular Music in England, 1840–1914: A Social History*, Manchester University Press, 1997, p 109. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7190-5261-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7190-5261-0)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-folk_6-0)** ["Weston and Lee", *Folk Song and Music Hall*](http://folksongandmusichall.com/index.php/weston-and-lee/). Retrieved 15 January 2021

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Harris, *World Composers*](https://harant.co.uk/composers/display.php?letter=H). Retrieved 16 January 2021

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm](http://homepage.ntlworld.com/barnicle/stanley/words/with%20her%20head%20tucked%20underneath%20her%20arm.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070104155942/http://homepage.ntlworld.com/barnicle/stanley/words/with%20her%20head%20tucked%20underneath%20her%20arm.htm) 4 January 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["BFI Screenonline: O-Kay For Sound (1937)"](http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/474108/). *Screenonline.org.uk*. Retrieved 14 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Halliwell,_Leslie_2003_10-0)** Halliwell, Leslie. *Halliwell's Who's Who in the Movies*, 15th edition, HarperCollins, 2003. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-06-053423-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-06-053423-0)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Music Hall and Variety Artistes Burial Places"](http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Burials.htm#L). *Arthurlloyd.co.uk*. Retrieved 14 July 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_12-1) Parker, Bernard S. (2007). *World War I Sheet Music – Volume 1*. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 53. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7864-2798-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7864-2798-7).

## External links

- Works by or about [Bert Lee](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:Bert_Lee) at [Wikisource](/source/Wikisource)

- [Works by Bert Lee on Great War Theatre](https://www.greatwartheatre.org.uk/db/person/620/)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF WorldCat National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Poland Artists MusicBrainz Discography of American Historical Recordings People Trove Other SNAC

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bert Lee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Lee) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Lee?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.