Heaven Will Protect An Honest Girl
Composer(s): R.P. Weston; Bert Lee; Harris Weston
Performer(s): Gracie Fields



On the day I left the village, my dear Mother whispered, "Nell"
Take this piece of bread and dripping and your fare
And remember when in London, though you're just a servant gel
You're a blonde, the sort that gentlemen ensnare
With your youth and fatal beauty, when you get to Waterloo
There'll be crowds of dukes and millionaires all waiting there for you

Heaven will protect an honest gel
An an-gi-el will guard you, little Nell
When these rich men tempt you, Nelly
With their spark-el-ling Moselly
Say "Nay! nay!" and do be very care-fu-el!
And if some old bloated blase roue swell
Says 'I'll kiss you, we're alone in this hotel'
Breathe a prayer he shall not do it
And then biff him with the cruet
Then Heaven will protect an honest gel!"

When I got to wicked London in my little clogs and shawl
And my but of bread and dripping in my hand
I went up to that big Lifeguard on his horse outside Whitehall
And I asked him to direct me to the Strand
But he didn't even answer; he just sat there with his sword
In a helment that had whiskers on, so I said, "Thank the Lord---for

Heaven will protect an honest gel"
And I reached Picadilly safe and well
There I saw a red light glowing
But across I started going
When a P'liceman pulled me back I nearly fell
"You're a silly little fool," he starts to yell
"Don't you know what that red light means?" I said, "Well
Red's for danger, if you please, sir
But don't switch it on for me, sir
'Cause Heaven will protect an honest gel!"

Optional second verse chorus (or first chorus of third verse if three verses are used)

Heaven will protect an honest gel
That night I got a job at some hotel
But the chef was most improper
For he sat me on the copper
And said  "Kiss me or I'll boil you, little Nell"
But I slapped him on the face---and in I fell
And I came up for the third time with a yell
"In the soup I'm going to simmer
But I'll come out clean and slimmer
For Heaven will protect an honest gel!"

I wandered round Li-cester Square from six o'clock till nine
But no millionaire came tempting me to stray
"If he does", I thought, "I'll let him take me to the Ritz to dine
Then I'll gollop up his tripe and run away"
Eeh by gum! I did feel hungry! Eeh! I hadn't had a bite
Since my bit of bread and dripping, and I knew that Ma was right---for

Heaven will protect an honest gel
Next day I pawned my shawl in Camberwell
Then my skirt and blouse, I sold 'em
And went tramping back to Oldham
When a fortnight passed, then I rang at the bell
"Eeh, but Mother dear," I said, "it's little Nell
I have lost my sole---my uppers too, as well---
And I've walked home in my undies
But I'll tell my Class on Sundays
That Heaven will protect an honest gel!"