VIDEO When Father Papered the Parlour

[whoosh]

Our parlor wanted papering,
And Pa says it was waste
To call a paperhanger in,
And so he made some paste.
He bought some rolls of paper,
Got a ladder and a brush
And with my mummy's nightgown on,
At it he made a rush.

When Father papered the parlour
You couldn't see him for paste
Dabbing it here! dabbing it there!
Paste and paper everywhere
Mother was stuck to the ceiling
The children stuck to the floor
I never knew a blooming family
So stuck up before.

Soon dad fell down the stairs
and dropp'd his paperhanger's can
On little Henrietta sitting there
with her young man,
The paste stuck them together,
as we thought t'would be for life,
We had to fetch the parson in
to make them man and wife.

When Father papered the parlour
You couldn't see him for paste
Dabbing it here! dabbing it there!
Paste and paper everywhere
Mother was stuck to the ceiling
The children stuck to the floor
I never knew a blooming family
So stuck up before.

The pattern was 'blue roses'
with its leaves red, white, and brown;
He'd stuck it wrong way up and now,
we all walk upside down.
And when he trimm'd the edging
off the paper with the shears,
The cat got underneath it,
and dad cut off both its ears.

When Father papered the parlour
You couldn't see him for paste
Dabbing it here! dabbing it there!
Paste and paper everywhere
Mother was stuck to the ceiling
The children stuck to the floor
I never knew a blooming family
So stuck up before.

We're never going to move away
from that house any more
For Father's gone and stuck the chairs
and table to the floor,
We can't find our piano,
though it's broad and rather tall,
We think that it's behind the paper
Pa stuck on the wall.

When Father papered the parlour
You couldn't see him for paste
Dabbing it here! dabbing it there!
Paste and paper everywhere
Mother was stuck to the ceiling
The children stuck to the floor
I never knew a blooming family
So stuck up before.

Now, Father's sticking in the pub,
through treading in the paste,
And all the family's so upset,
they've all gone pasty faced.
While Pa says, now that Ma has spread
the news from north to south,
He wishes he had dropped a blob
of paste in Mother's mouth.

When Father papered the parlour
You couldn't see him for paste
Dabbing it here! dabbing it there!
Paste and paper everywhere
Mother was stuck to the ceiling
The children stuck to the floor
I never knew a blooming family
So stuck up before.

 

[ChatGPT]

When Father Papered the Parlour The YouTube video titled "When Father Papered the Parlour" features a humorous and lively performance that captures the essence of a chaotic home improvement project gone awry. First performed in a music hall setting, this piece is a comedic poem that recounts the misadventures of a family when the father attempts to wallpaper the parlour himself.

Overview of the Performance​

The charming narrative takes us through the father's ambitious yet misguided attempts at home decoration. Using a mix of humor and vivid imagery, the poem details how his well-intentioned efforts devolve into chaos. Each stanza builds on the absurdity of the situation, showcasing how paste ends up everywhere, and family members find themselves stuck in ridiculous predicaments.

• Key Themes:
  • Comedic Misfortune: The father's struggle with the wallpapering process serves as a metaphor for the trials of homeownership and DIY projects.
  • Family Dynamics: The poem illustrates the relatable chaos of family life, where everyone's quirks contribute to the hilarity.

Highlights of the Performance​

1. Narrative Style: The poem is delivered in a lighthearted, rhythmic manner, enhancing its comedic flair and making it engaging for audiences.
2. Visual Imagery: Listeners can easily visualize the father’s clumsy attempts — the use of ladder, brush, and the humorous mishaps that follow.
3. Recurring Chorus: The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the chaos, as family members find themselves literally "stuck" in various predicaments, both physically and metaphorically.

   Cultural Context​

   This performance draws upon the tradition of British music hall entertainment, which often blends music, comedy, and storytelling. It gives a nostalgic glimpse into domestic life in earlier times, where home repairs were commonly DIY endeavors fraught with potential disaster.

   Conclusion​

   "When Father Papered the Parlour" is a delightful exploration of family life infused with humor and charm. It's a reminder of the entertaining chaos inherent in our everyday lives and the whimsical side of trying to improve our living spaces. For anyone who's ever attempted a DIY project, this piece resonates on multiple levels, reminding us that sometimes, things don't go as planned, and that's perfectly okay.​

   What are your thoughts about DIY home improvements? Have you ever had a similar experience to the father in the poem? Feel free to share your stories or favorite DIY tips below!