Flanagan & Allen - Underneath The Arches

[@stevelee4952]

I'm 72. Born in East London. Grew up listening to my family singing this great song. Sadly the blighty is fucked.

[@HealthandSocialCare-k5h]

Blighty is gone sadly.

[@dweeb4294]

Very sad but true

[@omt7410]

My grandad used to sing this to me when I was little. He passed away a couple years ago and I recently thought about this song so I thought I should listen to it. He passed away Sunday 17th June 2018 (Fathers Day) with cancer! Still miss him to this day x

[@omt7410]

@AMT definitely I totally agree! I’m doing okay but obviously the pain won’t go away of loosing a loved one..

[@annetteperez3548]

I feel you and I humbly send you a warm embrace I too lost a brother from it😞🙏👐🫂

[@leonardmead1425]

he is still singing to u somewhere sometime in the universe, u will be ok

[@nevittwoods1730]

👍

[@leonardmead1425]

@@nevittwoods1730 keep thinking of it now and again, there might be something else that springs to mind.

[@scopex2749]

Mum and dad used to take turns to sing me to sleep every night with this and many other songs, the umbrella man, little man you've had a busy day, puff the magic dragon to name a few. I couldnt sleep without a song. They both passed on a long time ago and life is very empty without them, miss them every day . Love you both.

[@Atlantis93]

🤗

[@davidwalker8955]

I Hope Blighty is still their I miss it everyday.

[@vhawk1951kl]

You aren't without them, they are with_*in* you - your blood and your heart, bless you. I am so sloppy and sentimental that that wonderful song brings tears to my eyes.

[@amylee8650]

My Nan sang this to me not long before she died in hospital. Listen to it now and then ♥

[@tinawootton9020]

Wonderful to listen to after all those years. My dear old Dad used to sing this. He was born in 1906 in Islington, a real Londoner.

[@richardmckee2059]

Wow!! Do you know what his favorite songs were, or what other songs he used to sing? Speaking of the war, what did he (and you?) do during The Blitz to stay safe? After the Great War, did he remember our men (presumably including your grandfather) coming home? Finally, do you know what he thought of automobiles taking over the roads of London during his youth? Thank you so much if you decide to answer; memories of past generations have always interested me, and I'm very rarely presented with an opportunity to gain knowledge from/of our elders.

[@seanmurphy5770]

Same here born in Highbury,67 years ago

[@WalkingCWild]

My gran sang this to me my entire childhood. Unfortunately she died after a long battle with cancer but she was the greatest woman on the planet. Thank you, Gran, you were everything

[@omt7410]

I am so sorry for your loss. My grandad also sang this song to me when I was little. He also died of cancer on Father’s Day 2018! Miss him to this day! I’m so sorry xx

[@mikaelad4671]

Beautiful comment...

[@moewilson4605]

I went looking for this. My mom was born 1930. As the youngest of seven kids, I was born 1970. My mom used to rock my twin sister and I singing this song. I still have the old rocker and my sister hopes to sing this song to her grandchildren someday.

[@angiepanjie]

Miss my grands. What sacrifices this generation made for us to be free❤️

[@ralphcairns4549]

My dad loved this song. As a child I used to watch Chesney Allen make a regular surprise appearance with the Crazy Gang after he had retired on the annual Command Performance at the London Palladium - just to sing this with Bud . Brings a lump to my throat when I hear it now. Wonderful background story to the song in the comment by eganpala65 . I’m a widower who is getting married this year to my long term other half who I knew when she was 16 and I was old enough to know better. The best man and I are doing a rendition of this at our reception for coat and straw hat and all.

[@Coltnz1]

I remember seeing them sing this live at a theatre in London years ago. It hits my sentimentality button.

[@dennisroyhall121]

That must have been in their show Crazy Gang at the theatre by Victoria Station perhaps called the Victoria Palace...I too saw them sometime in the early 1960s....My favourite of their songs is definitely “If you see a grey-haired lady...” A great Duo, miss ‘em and that’s true indeed....

[@iannottingham2839]

@AMT Mr Hall! How I envy you!

[@mikaelad4671]

Unfortunately born too late, but would have loved to have heard Flanagan live.

[@Atlantis93]

All these comments are making me cry. I remember my grandad singing this.

[@trevorbrooks813]

On stage they would place a hand on the others shoulder each time they changed direction. After Buds death in 1968 Ches made a cameo appearance and sang this (at the London Palladium I think) and when he turned and raised his hand for the shoulder of the absent Bud the whole theatre, which had been totally silent till then, erupted in roaring applause.

[@misst1808]

My grandad used to sing me to sleep singing this......then did the same with my children ❤️#memories

[@omt7410]

My grandad used to too. I hope you’re okay it’s not the easiest loosing the ones you love most x

[@madpainterken]

I saw them at Victoria theatre.. singing tis song.. It was around 1958.?.. loved them.. we were near the front .. Bud threw a sweet to me They also sang.. Me and my Shadow

[@carmenbonilla476]

Ken Bff.....How exciting that you were able to hear these wonderful gifted artists..i too in this moment have fallen in love with FLANAGAN & CHESNEY ALLEN...Ken you inspire me & i will for sure will dive into a wonderful journey of learning more about them... thank you madpainter ken.....always Carmen....ps i will even make a pinterest board in thier honor.....well deserved......Bravo to Flanagan & Chesney Allen.....hugs for all...

[@jefffranklin8106]

This song brings back so many happy memories. Thank you.

[@thomasclark8242]

God bless em' both. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@stewartgellatly8073]

A great song composed by Bud Flanagan. It befits our memories of him and Chesney Allen. Two great entertainers.

[@lgilbert1424]

Thanks for uploading. Reminds me of my grandmother who loved this song. They had such sweet voices.

[@ralphcairns4549]

❤fabulously gentle tribute to poverty and friendship

[@catherinewood5519]

What a wonderful charm they have.

[@egapnala65]

Reading Jack London's "People From The Abyss" adds a whole new meaning to this song. There's a photograph called "Under The Arches" in it which shows a bunch of homeless vagabonds who never made the workhouse bedded down under a bridge. London writes of one guy complaining of having been moved on by the police from there. The book is set around Victorian Spitalfields which was where Flanagan was born. He must have seen all that for himself.

[@ralphcairns4549]

Wonderful explanation of the background to a wonderful song and timeless delivery

[@dane4]

They were popular around 60-70 years before I was born, but I wouldve loved to meet them

[@Cozmixcartoons]

Love this song. My Nanny totally saw Flanagan and Allen live when she was a teenager. It was quite a good show I hear. I guess they would start the act by coming in through the back of the venue and going through the audience section. Bud Flanagan briefly spoke to my Nan. I think that's pretty cool.

[@shishilala]

Oh such precious footage ~ Thank you

[@Steveholmes1972]

Wikipedia:According to a television programme broadcast in 1957, Bud Flanagan said that he wrote the song in Derby in 1927, and first performed it a week later at the Pier Pavilion, Southport. It refers to the arches of Derby's Friargate Railway Bridge and to the cobbled street where homeless men slept during the Great Depression

[@danielburger1775]

You shouldn't use Wikipedia.

[@highgreen6452]

My grand dad loved these 2 this was his favourite song he had 9 greyhounds i remember him grooming them and singing this when i was about 5 in the outskirts of Sheffield

[@JimmyHaigh]

I remember my dear old Dad bursting into song now and again!

[@brownale1000]

Quality video subscribed cheers

[@marjoriehodgson7479]

Thank you for bringing back such happy memories Michael

[@jamesrobertson6065]

A wonderful classic one of my favourite songs thanks for sharing they don't make them like this any more.

[@maryridout2443]

perfect crooners

[@HFritzson]

Timeless and priceless

[@marypettyfer4640]

Fabulous 👌 👏 😊love this ❤

[@straightoutofstrat8722]

My father used to sing This Morning to us as a family when we were growing up. H have just had a question on this song on the Chase. Wow, brought back many fond memories. A good question to ask Bradley, as many people will have fond memories too.

[@anthonysmith1625]

So much talent...

[@lynneforsyth8231]

Wonderful..an oldie I recall with a smile..of my Mum and Dad x

[@wilkevwilkev]

thanks so much

[@paulwheatley141]

My grandad sang this to me. Wonderful memories

[@pinkzweibel985]

My father loved this song 🎵❤

[@titteryenot1136]

Like an old dusty memory

[@enochpowelghost]

yes a timeless classic .

[@DanRJohnson]

My generation will know Bud Flannigan for singing Dad's Army's signature tune: "Who do you think you are kidding Mr. Hitler". He recorded it, went home and died . . .

[@matthewsmith-rm6qc]

Once apon a time the London national anthem, and I'm a Glaswegian.

[@fabiansalveragliocasabal-jd7zs]

ADEMAS QUÉ VOZ QUÉ TIENE FLANAGAN Y ALLEN

[@Me-gf5ym]

A glimpse from a different time, long before the consumer society when there were only 2 billion humans on the planet (which many thought was overpopulated even then).

[@jinnymudlark1815]

Thanks for uploading - a very pleasant watch! (Cheers from Australia)

[@blackukulele]

love this

[@rabele123]

Does anyone else remember them doing this on Sunday Night At The London Palladium? It must have been early Sixties. I was just a young boy, but I thought it was wonderful.

[@ralphcairns4549]

Yes me too

[@Retroscoop]

Also in the movie A perfect spy !

[@mikewellwood1412]

Someone commented below on their singing abilities. Well, I think Bud could definitely hold down a tune, even if his voice was not technically "beautiful". I imagine people recognised his warm, friendly character (genuine, I think) in it, and responded to that. Chesney seemed to mostly sing with a semi-speaking delivery which might have been to hide a lack of tonal ability, but again, it might just have been a stylistic choice; after all, it seemed to blend in with Bud's very well on most recordings. And the public and record companies seemed to like what they heard. As you say, their timing is perfect, and that's essential in comedy. I only just got around to reading their fairly brief bios on Wikipedia. Seems that they met while serving in WW1, but didn't work together until the mid-1920s. There seems to be genuine affection between them, and it probably goes back to WW1. Check out the YT video where Bud joins the Home Guard. He was a genuine patriot and I think people respected as well as loved him. The Dad's Army people did exactly the right thing (and were quite lucky) to get him to sing the theme song, only a short while before he died, in 1968.

[@Krzyszczynski]

Absolute master-stroke, getting Bud to sing that song for Dad's Army. No contemporary vocalist could have done it the same degree of justice. I wonder how many people believe both song and recording actually date from that era.

[@mikaelad4671]

Both had the x factor, those who h arp on about vocal range will never understand what Flanagan at al conveyed

[@philgriffin8285]

Wonderful.

[@garysmith3317]

london history

[@jrgboy]

Amazing, recorded before magnetic tape & no way of editing... magic

[@conzmoleman]

You mean… film? lol

[@BigAndTall666]

Before magnetic tape there was magnetic wire, a Danish invention... 😂🍻🚬✌️

[@jamiechapman310]

The way we are going we all will b

[@barrypotter5751]

Bud Flanagan was born in 1896 and Chesney allen in 1894

[@kyawkyawwin1]

They don't make them like that any more.

[@ricko3k]

Wicked 😢

[@naly202]

I know this because it was mentioned by Hancock and Morecambe and Wise

[@azillliasmith2734]

❤

[@wanderer1955]

Flanagan was born in Brick Lane. Went past the blue plague yesterday dedicated to him.

[@TheSealOfTheRose]

Yes Real name Chaim Weintrop

[@colinbaldwin3833]

Jimmy Perry told the story that Flanagan was the name of a Sargent who made his life hell when he was in the army. He decided that if he made it as a comedian he’d use that name so everyone would laugh at him.

[@Krzyszczynski]

The blue plaque is at the site of his actual birthplace, 12 Hanbury Street. (Incredibly - seeing what's been done to so much of the rest of the street - the original building is still standing.) Just round the corner from Brick Lane. Still the real old East End, though, whatever way you look at it.

[@stefanyreich-silber653]

There's definitely arches there. This song makes me think of Brick Lane. Grew up hearing this in the 50s.

[@costlyblood1927]

I've just realised Do Not Adjust Your Set parodied this with their song The Two Of Us... David Jason even wears a big fur coat!

[@resonator_95]

Thanks for uploading, never seen this before! What film was it from?

[@Jolie-el8xx]

Clip is from the Crazy Gang's last film, Life Is A Circus.

[@billster48]

@@Jolie-el8xx wrong, clip not from Life is a circus.

[@LewisDragisic]

@@billster48 wheres it from then u big fat willy

[@Jolie-el8xx]

@@billster48 yes it is! The film starred The Crazy Gang together with singer Michael Holiday and Shirley Eaton

[@michaelt3912]

@@billster48 in Kinder words, do you know where it is from?

[@brettmcgaven3005]

From a different world I'm afraid.

[@supergoosemcfly6017]

I understand he wrote whilst living under the friargate archers in derby..

[@nevittwoods1730]

⭐👍🎙

[@TyghtAlso]

Which film is this?

[@Jolie-el8xx]

Is from “Life Is A Circus”, Bud’s last film.

[@TyghtAlso]

Thank you!@@Jolie-el8xx

[@fabiansalveragliocasabal-jd7zs]

MIREN SI LO PONEN EN CAMARA LENTA SI LO PONES EN CAMARA LENTA PODRAS VER QUÉ FLANAGAN Y ALLEN ESTAN HACIENDO UNA VOZ POTENTE ×23

[@fabiansalveragliocasabal-jd7zs]

FLANAGAN Y ALLEN ERAN HERMANOS CREO QUÉ CANTARON UN PAR DE CANCIÓNES PERO AL FINAL PERDIERON LA VIDA

[@fabiansalveragliocasabal-jd7zs]

PERO BUENO ACA SE ESCUCHAN

[@pintpot]

Am I imagining it or does Bed say "Shalom" at 1:32? Ches replies, "So long".

[@martyfeldman3269]

It did sound like it and Bud Flanagan was Jewish ,so maybe.

[@Misodread]

No, he just said “So long”

[@BuJammy]

Can someone tell me what film this is in? I've asked before, and got wrong answers in reply, and tried looking for it myself, for hours ,and cannot find out which film it actually is.

[@Jolie-el8xx]

It’s from the 1960 film “Life Is A Circus”

[@sjtoms3545]

Thank You ABBA Father For my mum and dad In Jesus Name. ✝️🕊🔥🙏💞💚🙏

[@houseoftone8939]

Why is that guy (Chez?) in a suit, who knows the story to this song?

[@jamescypler4599]

I only know a little bit about the song i believe bud wrote it and the arches were in charing cross road

[@kylerodgers1732]

Anyone here because of reading le Carré’s “A Perfect Spy”? Je suis Americán and I’ve never heard this song till now. Thanks Mr. Cornwell

[@Fadeypoo]

[@SteveFizz.40s]

Sorry sad news Plans to Demolish the Famous Arches in Derby that inspire Bad Flanagan to write the song. We are going to be singing "Where the arches used to be" soon

[@ciroalb3]

did they ever tire of singingi it?

[@EVERTONFC.]

No they'd just go to bed.

[@bizzlebasil1]

I know the worlds to all of these old songs but wouldn't have a clue what Taylor Swift was trying to sing about.

[@rosemaryhadliegh]

Magic a trillion times better than todays stupid rap music

[@darksharkrafa1]

Londonistan now

[@conzmoleman]

shut up you racist loser

[@snapkick2groinleftlegheelo232]

They couldn’t sing for shit .. but their timing was brilliant..

[@basilpeewit3350]

It's the performance that counts, and the message (the song originally was recorded in 1932 at the hight of the Great Depression), not so much the quality of the singing.

[@essexpeter6116]

I think Bud Flanagan could sing quite well in his time and in his genre (oh how I hate that word). Ches kind of groaned and spoke his way through. They were very popular and well loved with most of their songs quite sentimental.