The Black Bag (Eric Jones-Evans)

[Gary Barnett]

I prefer it when Robert accompanies himself on the spoons, Gary.

I'd forgotten all about the spoons. What a talent we have in our midst!

[Caroline Brown]

I prefer it when Robert accompanies himself on the spoons, Gary.

[Gary Barnett]

Dave:
Always glad to help out, pardner.....
I volunteer Bob Linford or Jerry Dunlop.

Robert can be found performing the song outside Aldgate East station most days. Personally, I think the kazoo and washboard spoil the effect, but that's just personal taste.

[Gary Barnett]

Gary:

Several contemporary sources say it was 'A Violet from Mother's Grave'

Thanks, How.

[Howard Brown]

Gary:

Several contemporary sources say it was 'A Violet from Mother's Grave'

[Gary Barnett]

Was Mary heard singing this song or 'A Violet from Mother's Grave'?

[Howard Brown]

Dave:
Always glad to help out, pardner.....
I volunteer Bob Linford or Jerry Dunlop.

[David Green]

In Ripperologist 140 I published an article about ‘The Black Bag’, a Jack the Ripper play written by the Hampshire doctor Eric Jones-Evans. It was published in 1957 by the London theatre publishers Samuel French as No. 685 in their Acting Edition series. It’s a very scarce publication, but I’m fortunate to own a copy.

At the back there is the score for ‘Sweet Violets’, an original song with words by Eric Jones-Evans and music by Ward Gardner. Ideally it is to be sung to the accompaniment of a barrel-organ. The song is used in the play as an interlude, and is heard in the background several times as a refrain. Mary Kelly sings the song when she leaves the Sailor’s Rest public house for the last time with her new doctor friend…

Here’s the chorus and part of the score:

Chorus
Sweet violets all wet with the dew,
Penny a bunch, laydee,
Sweet violets freshly gathered for you,
Penny a bunch, laydee,
I’ve roses and daffy down dillys to sell,
Jonquils and gilly flowers, tulips as well,
But sweet violets all wet with the dew,
They are the flowers for you, laydee.
-- Eric Jones-Evans

Can I invite anyone to sing it to a piano accompaniment and send in an audio file?

David