Listen to the track:
Tin Bath in the Yard
Tin Bath in the Yard is inspired by memories recorded by Peter Lugar of 1950s Wembury, when many homes had no bathroom and Saturday night meant a hot bath in a galvanised tub in the back yard. Water was heated in the copper, poured into the bath, and shared in turn. It was a weekly routine marked by steam in the cool air, neighbours passing by, and the simple comfort of getting clean before Sunday.
Verse 1
Saturday night, steam rising in the cold
Water from the copper, poured out bold
Children line up, towels on the line
One big tub and the scent of pine
Chorus
Tin bath in the yard, under Devon sky
Stars looking down as the steam drifts by
Laughing and shivering, trying to stay warm
Tin bath in the yard was the family norm
Verse 2
Boots by the step, soapsuds on the ground
Neighbours passing as they gather round
Hot water running low, “make it quick”
Last one in gets a wash that’s thick
Chorus
Tin bath in the yard, under Devon sky
Stars looking down as the steam drifts by
Laughing and shivering, trying to stay warm
Tin bath in the yard was the family norm
Bridge
Now showers flow at the twist of a tap
Warm tiled walls with no draughts to trap
Yet stone and slate still seem to recall
Those tin bath evenings for one and all
Final Chorus
Tin bath in the yard, under Devon sky
Stars looking down as the steam drifts by
Laughing and shivering, trying to stay warm
Tin bath in the yard was the family norm