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about

Knock Four Times

Every day, early in the morning the Knocker Upper travelled from house to house, waking up the sleeping inhabitants so that they would get to work on time. Every day, he gazed up at the sleepy face of the woman he had come to love ... and hoped that she would reciprocate his feelings.

From the beginning of the Industrial Revolution until well into the twentieth century in the industrial towns and cities of Great Britain, Knocker Uppers acted in the place of alarm clocks to rouse the large numbers of factory and mill workers who needed to wake up early for their shifts.

They used long poles to tap on the windows of those who paid for their services, both to avoid waking those in the building who preferred to stay asleep, but also to avoid waking others who might wish to be awoken at that hour and, thereby, benefit from their services without paying for them. Their working hours meant that they retired early and, therefore, rarely saw the hour of midnight pass.

lyrics

Knock Four Times 
Lyrics — Adam Summerhayes

Knock four times, that’s my rule,

If you’re not up then, then you’re the fool.

It’s years since I saw midnight,

And miles I’ve walked by four.

So I’ll be there to wake you,

Though I’ll not knock on your door —
For it’s only you who’ll pay me,
So it’s only you I’ll wake,

And, if your neighbours make their plans,
With the cunning of a snake,

For the knock from me to wake them,
Without their shillings paid,

They’ll be sorely disappointed,

And in their beds stay laid,

As I tap upon your window,

A message just for you:

Knock four times, that’s my rule.

If you’re not up then, then you’re the fool.

But the girl that I saw weeping,
At the entrance to the mill, Perhaps she stole my heart then,
But I know she has it still.
For her, four knocks were not enough, Her shift she missed and life is tough, So just for her,
I broke my rule —
And you could say that I’m a fool.
But her face at morning’s window
Became the purpose of my life.

I know that I can never rest,
Till you become my wife.
So I tap upon your window,
A message just for you:

Knock forever, that’s my rule.

I just must see you, for I’m the fool

So it’s here that I’ll stay knocking,
Just waiting for your smile.

I’ll always be here for you,
Forever tapping, whilst
You come to know that it’s me you need
To make purpose of your life
—
And anticipate the happiness

You’ll feel when you’re my wife.
For you I will do anything.

For you I have no rules.

If the rest of them don’t want you,
Then they’re a bunch of fools.
And now you’re at the window,
With a message just for me:

We need no knocks, we need no rules,
We have each other, and we’re no fools.

credits

from The Devil's On The Mast, released June 2, 2023
Music by Adam Summerhayes, Murray Grainger and Kirsty Merryn

Produced and mixed by Murray Grainger.
Lyrics by Adam Summerhayes and Kirsty Merryn


UTE007 (Under The Eaves Records)
Mastered by Jon Astley
Artwork - Adam Summerhayes 
© & ℗ 2023 Adam Summerhayes, Murray Grainger & Kirsty Merryn


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The Ciderhouse Rebellion England, UK

Two virtuoso musicians playing some of the most startling and original music you will ever encounter. Compelling, exciting and utterly original" Phil Beer

The duo brings together master accordionist Murray Grainger and fiddle player Adam Summerhayes. ... more

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